Why enough bone determines success
A dental implant is an artificial root placed in the jawbone. For it to hold permanently, it must be surrounded by enough bone. Only then does the bone grow firmly onto the implant surface and can later carry a crown or bridge securely. Two measurements are decisive: the height of the bone and the width of the ridge. If either is insufficient, a graft is the prerequisite for a stable, long-lasting implant.
Bone is lost above all after a tooth removal, through advanced periodontitis or through a long unrestored gap. The earlier a gap is restored, the more bone is preserved. We explore the connection in our guide on bone grafting and sinus lift.
The augmentation methods
Which method applies depends on how much bone is missing where. For smaller to medium defects we fill the area with grafting material and cover it with a membrane that keeps the faster-growing soft tissue out (guided bone regeneration). If greater width or height is missing, a bone block can be fixed in place as a stable scaffold. And directly after a tooth removal, ridge preservation maintains the existing volume before it is lost.
The sinus lift explained
In the lateral upper jaw the maxillary sinus lies above the tooth roots. After these teeth are lost, the remaining bone is often too shallow for an implant. In a sinus lift we carefully lift the membrane lining the sinus and fill the space with grafting material, creating the height needed. When little height is missing this is done gently through the implant channel; when more is needed, through a small window in the lateral sinus wall. Both procedures are part of the repertoire of our oral surgery.
How we plan
Bone grafting and sinus lift are established, well-plannable procedures. We reduce the risks by taking a three-dimensional scan before every procedure. It shows the height and width of the bone, the position of the sinus and the course of important nerves to the millimetre. On this basis we plan the graft and implant position precisely, before the first incision. Whether a graft is needed in your case is only shown by the examination with a 3D scan.
