Is There A Minimum Bone Thickness Requirement for Implants?

Paul asks:
My wife had surgery six months ago to prepare her upper jaw for 3 implants on one side. We were told that there was insufficient bone to install implants, and she would require a sinus lift. Is there a minimum bone thickness requirement for the installation of dental implants?

Answered by: Dr. Carlos Boudet

West Palm Beach, FL

Dear Paul:

In order to get predictable results when placing implants the surgeon must have enough bone width and height.

For example, a 4 mm wide implant needs 6 mm of bone width to have 2 mm of bone on either side. If dentists place implants in deficient bone, they are more likely to see gum and bone loss around those implants in the long term, and tissue loss around implants can compromise the longevity of the work.

In your wife's case, the sinus cavity reduces the amount of bone available for an implant, and placement without a bone graft would place part of the implant inside the sinus and create an infection. Also, the bone in that area is very soft and the implant should have about 5 mm of bone height for stability. A standard 11 or 13 mm long implant would still be protruding 6 to 8 mm into the sinus without a bone graft.

Sounds like your wife's dentist is doing everything necessary for a good result.

Good Luck!

Carlos Boudet,DDS, DICOI
http://www.boudetdds.com