What If I Don’t Have Thick Enough Jaw Bone for a Dental Implant

Dental implants have helped millions of Americans restore damaged or extracted teeth. The small titanium screws fuse with the jawbone after placement, providing a sturdy foundation for crowns, bridges, and other dental restorations. 

Despite the benefits, not everyone has sufficient bone density to support dental implants. The good news is that even if you fall into this category, you may still be able to get implants.

Expert dentist Hiral Patel, DDS, at SolidSMILES Dental in Lewisville, Texas, often counsels patients in this very situation. Here, we explain why jawbone density matters, how we evaluate it, and highlight several treatment options that can increase bone thickness.

The connection between jawbone thickness and dental implants

Dental implants are similar to houses in that they need a strong foundation to support them. If your jawbone is too thin or soft, the implants may not integrate completely, leaving them unstable or at risk of failure.

Some people have lower-density jawbones due to genetics, but lifestyle factors can also play a role. For example, your jawbone can be affected by gum disease, missing teeth, trauma, and even the natural aging process.

How dentists evaluate jawbone thickness

The easiest way to assess your jawbone density is with a type of diagnostic imaging called cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Dr. Patel scans your upper and lower jaw with an advanced X-ray that makes it easy to evaluate each jawbone’s thickness.

The entire process typically takes 15 minutes or less and helps her determine whether you can immediately receive implants or need an additional procedure first. 

Options if your jawbone isn’t thick enough 

If your jawbone isn’t thick enough to support dental implants, Dr. Patel may recommend one of the following procedures:

Bone grafting

During bone graft surgery, Dr. Patel inserts a small piece of bone tissue into the part of your jaw that needs additional density. Once placed, the graft encourages the growth of new, healthy bone tissue.

Sinus lift

This procedure is similar to a bone graft but is specifically used to increase bone density in the upper jaw near the sinuses.

Ridge expansion

If you have a very thin jawbone, Dr. Patel might recommend a ridge expansion. This procedure uses a bone graft to widen your jaw so there’s more room for the implant to integrate correctly.

Zygomatic implants

Some people’s jaws are too thin to respond to bone grafting. In this case, Dr. Patel may recommend Zygomatic implants, which are inserted into the zygomatic (cheek) bones as an alternative when other grafting options aren’t feasible. 

Benefits of restoring bone volume

Learning that you don’t have enough bone to support dental implants can be frustrating, but restoring bone has significant benefits:

• Improved implant success rates
• Lowered risk of further bone loss
• Restored facial structure and confidence
• Improved chewing and biting
• Clearer speech

If you’re interested in exploring dental implants further, don’t wait to see Dr. Patel and our caring team. Even if your jawbone isn’t thick enough currently, various treatments can increase bone density, so you still qualify.

Call SolidSMILES Dental today to schedule a dental implant consultation or book your visit online.