In order to install an implant, the patient's bone must be qualitatively and quantitatively sufficient.
If you fall among those with a bone deficiency, however, you need not worry: nowadays, thanks to bone reconstruction techniques, it is possible to regenerate lost bone.
This ensures a solid and stable base for implant placement. Let's learn more about what causes it, how it can be remedied, and how to approach this type of therapy.
The possible causes of bone loss
There are several causes that can lead to bone loss. In most cases, the main reason has to be found oftotal or partial edentulism : the loss of a tooth also involves the loss of the natural support of the tooth itself and the root; all this results in the loss of gingiva and bone.
Another fairly common cause of bone loss is periodontitis, which is the disease that, if not treated in time and properly, leads to the destruction of the supporting apparatus of the tooth and bone.
Periodontitis is caused by bacteria that accumulate thanks to plaque and are able to make their way into the space between the gum and the tooth, creating pockets or sacs; this is the ideal environment for the bacteria to proliferate and continue their destructive action, also attacking the bone and gum.
Bone loss can also occur following the extraction of a tooth or after trauma or inflammation that has affected gums and bone.
How to remedy with bone reconstruction
Without an adequate amount of bone, it is impossible to place implants because they would not have the support and stability needed to integrate perfectly and last over time.
But all is not lost: after analyzing the situation, the medical team at Dr. Savasta's office is able to identify the most suitable bone reconstruction technique for the case.
Human bone has the fantastic ability to regenerate; in such cases, the job of the dentist and the professionals who work alongside him or her is to facilitate this process.
The most common bone reconstruction surgeries involve the alternative use of:
- Bone grafts;
- resorbable membranes.
In more complicated cases, titanium grids (known by the technical term mesh) are also used, but these will have to be removed later with a second minor surgery.
Reconstruction techniques
Bone grafts can be defined as actual small bone grafts. The tissue used can come from the patient himself, and in this case we speak of autologous graft, but it can also be of synthetic or animal origin (in this case we speak of heterologous graft).
With graft placement, the size of the maxillary or mandibular bone can be increased, both in thickness and height. Several months after the grafting procedure ( usually four or five months is sufficient) the bone has reached an adequate level to proceed with implant placement.
In some cases the transplant needs more support to stay in place and be able to integrate with the "original" bone.
This support can be provided by special membranes, which can be made from biological materials (such as collagen) or synthetic materials.
Membranes have the special feature of being resorbable: this means that they are incorporated by the bone and therefore there is no need to remove them later.
In contrast, this need is there for titanium cages, which are used in more complex cases of bone reconstruction and the membranes are not sufficient; after about four to five months, the patient must undergo a second (small) surgery to remove the mesh.
How to find out if you have bone loss
All you have to do to find out if your bone is not sufficient and therefore if you need to proceed with reconstructive treatment is to visit the Savasta office: after the first visit in which the general situation of the oral cavity is evaluated, a three-dimensional CT scan can be performed.
In this way, the center's specialists will be able to study the situation accurately and assess the status and size of the remaining bone with great precision. At this point a decision can be made about the work to be performed and the regeneration technique to be used.
