Implant dentists care deeply about ensuring the most successful placement of dental implants in Beverly Hills possible, and that process starts with confirming enough bone tissue is available in the jaw before they can be placed. However, there are multiple ways that bone loss can occur that you should know about. According to an article published in Materials Today: Proceedings, these were the most common factors responsible for bone loss.

Why Bone Tissue Matters for Dental Implants

Bone tissue is one of (if not the) most important factors for determining whether a patient is able to receive dental implants or not. Without a substantial amount of bone tissue, the implant cannot properly fuse with the jawbone. This process is what makes dental implants so long-lasting and capable of chewing even the toughest foods.

Additionally, strong bone tissue plays a role in reducing the risk of future tooth loss, a benefit that dental implants also provide. This is thanks to the constant stimulation the prosthetic root provides after it has been placed.

According to a review posted in Materials Today: Proceedings, there are many factors that can influence the health of the bone tissue and whether the implant remains healthy or fails later in life.

The Most Common Causes of Bone Loss

In the article’s abstract, the authors plainly state that there are “various factors” that affect the success of dental implants. What they acknowledge in particular is how well the implant osseointegrates with the jawbone. If the osseointegration is weak or incomplete, the implant can loosen or may be lost completely due to peri-implant bone loss. This condition develops due to an inflammatory response in the body that affects the supporting hard or soft tissue surrounding the implant post.

The review goes on to say that “these factors have been experimentally proven to affect the rate of osseointegration and the stress of distribution to the bone-implant interface.” They found the following factors were the most influential:

• Mechanical overloading – When too much weight is being applied to the bone through the implants. This could be due to an insufficient number of implants hold a restoration.
• Implant-abutment connection design – Relates to the way the abutment (or small metal connector that holds the restoration) attaches to the implant post.
• Implant geometry – Refers to the shape and design of the implant post itself (such as the threads)
• Implant position – Some areas of the jaw are more difficult to place implants in than others, particularly teeth that are located in the front of the mouth.
• Bone density – A thinner jawbone is not only less likely to bond with a dental implant, but it’s more likely to make a patient ineligible for treatment.
• Surface finish material of the implant – Implants are typically made from titanium, but they may also contain coatings designed to create a more favorable environment for osseointegration.
• Micro gaps – Refers to the level of the implant-abutment connection, a small space where bacteria can collect and negatively impact the integration process.

With so many factors at play when it comes to the osseointegration process, it’s more important than ever to receive dental implant treatment from an expert. To learn more about the dental implant process, get in touch with an implant dentist today!

About the Author

Dr. Jason Kboudi has the training and expertise to not only restore dental implants, but perform the placement portion entirely in his office! He always takes the time to confirm bone density and other essential factors to ensure that dental implants can safely integrate with the jawbone ahead of surgery. To schedule an appointment and get started on the dental implant process, you can contact him through his website.