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Success Rate of Dental implants in Soft Upper Jaw Bone?

Last Updated: Nov 25, 2014

I have worn a full upper denture for a long time (years) and want to get a full arch non-removable implant anchored bridge. My oral surgeon sent me for a CT scan July 2011 and determined that I did not have sufficient bone to support implants. In mid-July 2011, I had a bilateral sinus lift and in October 2011, I underwent ridge augmentation surgery using a block graft with bone from my chin. For both procedures, healing seemed to go very well with no signs of infection or other complications. I had another CT scan late last month (February 2012) which showed that after the block graft and sinus lift there was now sufficient bone in my upper jaw to place the implants. I was scheduled for implant placement this week (early March 2012). The treatment plan was to place 6 implants. My current denture was to be altered and immediately attached to the implants as an interim appliance. Then in about 6 months, after the implants had integrated into my upper jaw bone, a permanent titanium based fixed bridge was to be installed. When placing the implants into my upper jaw this week, the surgeon discovered that although the volume of bone was sufficient to place the implants, the bone itself was too soft to immediately attach an interim appliance (the altered upper denture). He said that if a load was placed on the implants the bone would splinter and fail. He did place the 6 implants and cover them under my gum to allow them to head. In about six months he believes the bone will have integrated around the implants and will be strong enough to support a fixed bridge. Needless to say, this was very disappointing news. Does anyone know the success rate of implants placed in soft upper jaw bone? Does the placement of the implant generally strengthen the bone in addition to increasing volume? If age might make a difference, I am 64 years old. Any advice/input would be sincerely appreciated

4 Comments on Success Rate of Dental implants in Soft Upper Jaw Bone?

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Dr. Carlos Boudet

11/25/2015

In your february scan, where the doctor saw that you now had enough bone volume, the quality of the bone (soft or poor and dense or hard) could also be read in hounsfield units. They give the doctor an idea of the quality of the bone is adequate to obtain the necessary torque values for immediately loading the implants after they were placed. Now that the implants are placed and they need to heal and fuse to the bone, it is important to avoid doing anything that might put pressure on them, his means not biting hard with the denture and a soft diet. To answer your questions, the success rate of implants in soft bone is slightly lower than in hard bone, and placing implants may keep you from loosing bone, but it does not strengthen the bone, not does it increase the volume of it unless you are expanding the bone at the same time. Good luck! Dr. Carlos Boudet

Zee

10/30/2016

My father has an edentulous upper ridge which apparently did not have enough bone to support implants without a sinus lift and bone graft. To avoid those procedures he went to an oral surgeon who performed an intrasinis zygomatic implant procedure on him. When the doctor put in one implany on the left side he realized his zygomatic bone was too soft. He closed up his mouth. Three days after the surgery,my father had swelling and pain and it was discovered that he had an infected sinus. The pus had no escape route so it accumulated in between the palate and mucosa. Sinus was drained,and drain left for couple of days to allow pus to escape. Stitches were removed after 2 days and he felt better. It has been 2 weeks since the drainge of sinus infection. However he is still tender in the area where the implant was drilled when medium pressure is applied on the ridge. Also the gingigval mucosa in that area is bulbous. When he takes out his denture,it is covered in a little dried blood in that area. He also gets blood clots in his throat sometimes which he spits out. Could you please tell me if this is normal. How long will it take to completely heal. My father is 72 years old.

Pam Pickren

4/16/2018

I have a bone growing down from my upper roof of my mouth, on the hard part but right next to the soft back upper roof. I am 63. So would I need surgery to remove this bone some? Itâ€™s 1/2 inch.I need dentures.

candy

6/13/2019

I am in the same boat, sans bone grat. My bone was too soft to load the arch and it has been 6 months with an upper denture. I am terrified when they go in to torque them in July that the bone will still not be strong enough. Prayers to you and me and if you have the answer, tell me.

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