Can You Get Dental Implants If You Have Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis can cause your body to lose bone density and have a hard time building new bone structures. While osteoporosis often affects the hips, spine, and wrists, it can affect any bone in your body. According to the National Institutes of Health, there is a link between jaw bone loss and osteoporosis, especially if a person has loose or missing teeth. Because osteoporosis affects jaw health, you may wonder if you can still be a viable candidate for dental implants. Read on to learn more.
Why Is Strong Jaw Bone Important for Implants?
While the implant crown rests above the jawline, the implant post is actually inserted into your jawbone during implant surgery. The post imitates a tooth root, and anchors the crown in your mouth so that you can actually use the tooth when eating and speaking without damaging it. If you don't have strong jaw bone, then the implant won't be stable and the surgery could fail.
How Can Your Dentist Help You?
Only your dentist can tell you whether or not you can get an implant. While osteoporosis is a challenge, there are things your dentist can do to reduce the chance of implant failure.
For starters, your dentist will use high-tech imaging equipment to look at the current bone density of your jaw. Because dental implants can come in different shapes and sizes, your dentist could opt for a smaller implant that can be supported by a jaw with less-than-ideal bone density.
Some dentists may recommend a bone graft before surgery. Bone grafts can come from synthetic materials, donors, or animals (like cows), and can really help to build up your jaw bone. The main downside of a bone graft is that once your dentist places it, you'll have to wait for the graft to integrate with your jaw bone, meaning that you'll have to wait to have implant surgery.
Do Your Osteoporosis Medications Affect Implant Success?
Yes, some medications for osteoporosis can affect implant success rates. For instance, some people take medications called biophosphonates to slow the progress of bone loss. Ironically, while this medication is helpful for osteoporosis, it actually harms your ability to heal after implant surgery.
You and your dentist could discuss alternative medications to treat your osteoporosis so that you can increase your implant success rates. Even adjusting the delivery of your medication could be beneficial, as one study showed that people that were treated with intraoral biophosphonates had a better chance of healing that people who took IV biophosphonates.
Reach out to a dentist in your area today for more details about dental implants.