Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants if I Have Bone Loss?
A Guide to Sinus Lifts and Bone Grafting.

One of the most common myths about dental implants is that if you have experienced jawbone loss, you are simply out of luck.

At #1 West Park Dental, we see patients every day in San Jose who have been told elsewhere that they aren't candidates for implants. Our message to you is simple: Bone loss is a hurdle, not a dead end. Through advanced restorative techniques like bone grafting and sinus lifts, we can rebuild your smile’s foundation, making dental implants a reality even years after tooth loss.

Why Does Bone Loss Happen?

Your jawbone stays healthy through stimulation. Every time you chew, the roots of your teeth send signals to the bone to stay dense and strong. When a tooth is lost, that stimulation stops.

• Resorption: Within the first year of losing a tooth, the bone in that area can decrease by as much as 25%.

• Periodontal Disease: Advanced gum disease can "eat away" at the bone supporting your teeth.

• Long-term Denture Wear: Traditional dentures sit on top of the gums but don’t stimulate the bone, leading to a sunken facial appearance over time.

Solution 1: Dental Bone Grafting

If your jawbone is too thin or soft to hold an implant, we perform a bone graft. This procedure involves placing specialized bone material into the area where the bone has recessed.

How it Works:

1. Preparation: We use advanced imaging to review your bone density.

2. The Graft: Dr. Steve Yoo or our specialist, Dr. Phan, places grafting material (which can be your own bone, donor tissue, or synthetic material).

3. The "Scaffold": The graft acts as a scaffold. Over several months, your body naturally deposits new, living bone into that space.

4. Ready for Implants: Once the graft has "taken" and fused (a process called osseointegration), your jaw is strong enough to support a titanium implant post.

Solution 2: The Sinus Lift (Upper Jaw)

The upper back jaw is a notoriously difficult area for implants because there is often very little bone between the mouth and the maxillary sinuses. If we placed an implant there without enough bone, it could penetrate the sinus cavity.

A sinus lift (or sinus augmentation) solves this by "lifting" the sinus membrane to make room for more bone.

When is a Sinus Lift Necessary?

• You are missing molars in the upper jaw.

• Your maxillary sinus is naturally too close to the jaw.

• You have experienced significant bone loss due to long-term tooth loss.
  

Why Choose #1 West Park Dental for Your Implants?

San Jose is a hub for medical innovation, and our practice reflects that. We don't just "do" implants; we engineer long-term success.

• Specialist Expertise: While many general dentists perform simple extractions, our team includes Dr. Phan, an Oral Surgeon with dual degrees in dentistry and medicine (DDS & MD). This allows us to handle complex bone replacement and surgical cases in-house.

• Advanced Imaging: We use high-resolution digital scans to ensure the sinus lift is performed with absolute precision, minimizing recovery time.

• Comfort & Sedation: We understand that "bone grafting" sounds intimidating. We offer various sedation options to ensure your procedure is entirely stress-free.
  

Take the First Step Toward a New Smile

Don't let bone loss keep you from the confidence of a full smile. Whether you've been missing teeth for months or decades, we can help you determine the best path forward.

Schedule an Implant Consultation with Dr. Yoo or Dr. Phan to see if a bone graft is right for you!