What happens to patients who do not have sufficient bone structure for dental implant treatment?

There are several options for dental implant patients with insufficient bone structure: Bone grafting adds bone tissue to missing areas to create a suitable foundation for implant placement. Approximately 2.2 million bone grafting procedures are performed worldwide each year, and this number is increasing by 13%. The All-on-4 technique uses four strategic implants to provide a full set of teeth, even for patients with weak upper and lower jawbones. Zygomatic implants are long implants placed in the cheekbone rather than the jawbone and are suitable for patients with severe bone loss. Ridge expansion involves dividing existing bone to create new space for implant placement. Additionally, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), which promote bone formation, can be used to reduce the need for bone grafting. In addition to implants, alternative treatments such as removable dentures and fixed bridges can also be used to treat missing teeth.