Supported by a freestanding artificial tooth root, dental implant requires no abrasion of adjacent teeth, becoming increasingly popular with those suffering from missing teeth. Enjoying a good performance in both aesthetics and function close to a natural tooth, it is dubbed “the third set of teeth for human beings”.

    Not everyone, however, is an eligible candidate for implant surgery. Many people are informed that a procedure of bone grafting should be conducted prior to the surgery. Why is it necessary?

    Actually, what alveolar bone to a tooth is what soil to a tree. Only when there is adequate healthy alveolar bone can an dental implant stabilize in its position and remain functional on a long-term basis.

    As we know, such dental issues as periodontitis or tooth loss will lead to alveolar resorption over time. But adequate bone mass plays an important role in the success of an implant surgery. That’s why bone grafting is required. It refers to placing bone meal into the edentulous socket, subsequently covered by periosteum. Then we have to wait, perhaps a few months, for it to grow. During the period, you have to come back to your dentist for follow-up as is required. When the bone height meets the requirement, the implant surgery can be scheduled. 

    What will happen if dental implant is placed without conducted a bone grafting first, for those with inadequate bone mass? 

    Without enough support, it’s hard to keep the implant stable in its position. We can even envision its ultimate falling out. 

    There is a cavity called maxillary sinus on the top of molar roots. When the sinus is too large or there is a small amount of alveolar bone, chances are that the implant may punch through the sinus, resulting in infection and peri-implantitis. 

    Besides, there is an inferior alveolar nerve beneath molar roots. Conducting the implant surgery without adequate bone mass, there is a risk of damaging the nerve and lead to numbness of jaw and teeth. In severe cases, the damage is irreversible.  Relevant article: Bone grafting

    Normally speaking, a crown should be sought at the end of an implant treatment. Without enough alveolar bone, there will be a gap between the crown and gums, which is not aesthetic at all.

    In short, with inadequate alveolar bone and no bone grafting, the implant surgery is basically doomed to fail. So take a thorough check-up and strictly follow the instructions of your dentist, for the sake of an aesthetic and functional implant tooth.

    Please feel free to contact me if there’s any dental problem. (WeChat ID: aiyuan325180)