If you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone, or you’re worried that might be your case, you should know that today it’s often possible to get implants with bone loss. If you are suffering jawbone loss because a tooth is missing, it is essential to act as soon as possible, and in this post we explain why the bone is lost and what options there are for placing implants when it’s missing. At Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic, in Vélez-Málaga, just a few minutes from Torre del Mar, we see patients every day who lost a tooth some time ago and have put off replacing it. Although losing a back molar or a tooth that doesn’t show may not cause any immediate pain, leaving the gap unfilled sets off a silent degenerative process in the structures of your mouth.
From a medical and biological point of view, teeth aren’t just for chewing: they constantly stimulate the bone that holds them in place. Today we explain clearly what happens in your jaw when a tooth is missing, why bone atrophy occurs and why dental implants are the best way to stop it in time. Look after the foundations of your smile! 🛡️
Why does jawbone loss happen after losing a tooth? 🤔
The alveolar bone surrounding the tooth roots needs constant mechanical stimulation. Every time we chew, the root passes forces on to the bone, signalling to the body that it must keep that tissue dense, calcified and strong.
When a tooth is lost, the root disappears and that stimulus stops completely. Detecting that the bone no longer has a job to do, the body gradually begins to reabsorb its minerals. In the first year after losing the tooth, up to 25% of the jawbone thickness in that area can be lost, and this wear keeps progressing if nothing is done.
How missing teeth affect your oral health ⚠️
Not placing a dental implant in time triggers a chain of negative effects throughout the mouth:
- Neighbouring teeth drift: the teeth next to the gap tilt and the opposing one “comes out” of the gum, throwing your bite out of line (we explain this in detail in what happens if you don’t replace a missing back tooth).
- Premature facial ageing: losing bone support in the jaws makes the lips and cheeks sink in. This deepens the lines around the mouth and the folds of the face, giving an older appearance.
- More complex implant treatment: if years go by without the tooth, the bone may become too thin to place an implant directly, making additional bone regeneration or bone graft procedures necessary.
Can you get implants with bone loss? 🦴
Yes, in many cases. The first step is to measure with a 3D CT scan how much bone is left and where. From there, depending on each case, options like these are considered:
- Bone regeneration or bone graft: the area is filled with graft material to gain volume, before or at the same time as the implant is placed.
- Sinus lift: in the upper jaw, in the molar area, it increases bone height when the maxillary sinus is very close.
- Tilted or zygomatic implants: when a lot of bone is missing across the whole arch, techniques such as All-on-4 for a full arch make use of the available bone and may avoid grafts.
The sooner you act after losing the tooth, the simpler the treatment usually is, so it’s worth having it assessed early.
Dental implants: the only solution that stops bone resorption ⚙️
There are removable dentures and traditional bridges, but only titanium dental implants manage to stop jawbone loss:
- Biological integration and an artificial root: the implant is a small screw made of biocompatible titanium that is placed in the bone (osseointegration). Because it works exactly like a natural tooth root, it transmits chewing forces and restores the biological stimulus to the bone, halting its deterioration.
- Diagnosis with 3D scanning and CT: at our clinic in Vélez-Málaga we assess your bone structure with high-precision three-dimensional imaging, so we can plan the implant placement accurately, quickly and safely.
- Natural-looking restoration: on top of the implant we fit a custom-made dental crown that perfectly matches the colour, shape and strength of your natural teeth.
Get back the function and look of your mouth in the Axarquía! 😊
Replacing a lost tooth with dental implants isn’t just about looks; it is a health matter, ensuring you can chew properly, stopping your other teeth from shifting and preserving the bone structure of your face in the long term.
If you are missing a tooth or would like to find out more about our dental implants in Vélez-Málaga, get in touch with Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic in Vélez-Málaga, where we see patients from Torre del Mar and all over the Axarquía. Our team of surgeons and implantologists will assess your case with 3D technology and offer you a personalised plan to give you back a healthy, secure smile. Book your assessment appointment today!
