When teeth are missing, the jawbone no longer receives the pressure signals it needs from the tooth roots. Without this healthy force, the jawbone starts to deteriorate. You may even notice your jawbone visibly start to shrink when you look at your face in the mirror. If you’ve experienced this, a dentist may tell you that you aren’t eligible for implant dentures, but this isn’t necessarily the case. With Fix-on-Six ® dentures featuring mini dental implants, even patients with bone loss can be candidates for a more secure denture solution.
But why are more folks eligible for Fix-on-Six? These full-arch roundhouse bridges are supported by innovative mini dental implants placed in the jaw. Since mini implants are much slimmer than traditional implants, they’re ideal for patients struggling with bone deterioration. So if other dentists said you’ve lost too much bone for dental implants, in most cases, Dr. Rose Magno can still help you.
Why Bone Loss Happens When You Lose Teeth
Your jawbone shrinks and weakens when you lose teeth. Why is this the case?
Your body naturally cycles through bone material, breaking down old bone (called bone resorption) and forming new bone. In a healthy adult, these processes are usually balanced, which helps maintain bone strength. Chewing applies gentle pressure through the tooth roots into the jawbone, which is one of the signals that helps preserve bone around the teeth.
When you lose teeth, you’re losing the connection between the root and the jaw, as well. This means your jaw misses out on the healthy stress caused by chewing. As a result, the jawbone resorbs faster than it rebuilds, leading to bone loss.
Dental implants replace the lost tooth root, preventing bone loss. However, to be eligible for them, you need enough space in the bone. Traditional dental implants are often too large for patients who have experienced bone loss, so a dentist won’t be able to place them. This is why you might have been told you’re not a candidate for implants. Or you may have been told that a specialist can only place implants after you undergo bone grafting to rebuild the jawbone.
Ironically, the same patients who are ineligible for traditional implants have the most to gain, since the implants can prevent more bone loss. So what can you do if you need dentures (or want to upgrade your existing ones), but traditional implants aren’t an option?
How Fix-On-Six® Implant Dentures Are Possible With Bone Loss
If bone loss is such a problem for traditional implants, you’re probably wondering why Fix-on-Six implant dentures are still possible. This is because the Fix-on-Six implant bridge is supported by mini dental implants. These high-tech dental implants are much smaller than traditional dental implants. While traditional implants measure 5 mm, on average, mini implants are less than 3 mm.
This dramatic reduction in size means that you need less bone to anchor the implant. So by using mini implants, Fix-on-Six roundhouse bridges are an option for patients who have been told they don’t have enough bone for implant dentures. In fact, we find that most patients are usually candidates for mini dental implant solutions across the board, including crowns, bridges, and dentures.
We customize your bridge to give you the most natural look, feel, and bite. For some patients, we create a bridge using only ceramic teeth. If your gums have receded or you need lip support, we can customize your denture to include porcelain gums, too. The overall result will be less bulky in your mouth than overdentures and will have better chewing ability.
From planning to placement, the Fix-on-Six implant procedure is more straightforward than you might think. First, Dr. Magno places 6-10 mini implants on the top or bottom of your mouth, wherever she will place the bridge. Then, she puts in a temporary bridge, so you’ll leave the office with a complete smile on the same day she places the implants. In a few weeks, you’ll come back to our office for your permanent bridge.
The roundhouse bridge is semi-removable, meaning Dr. Magno will take it out for regular deep cleanings. You’ll never have to remove it at home!
Start Your Fix-On-Six Journey Today!
If you’ve experienced bone loss after losing your teeth, you might have been told you’re not a candidate for implant dentures. But because Fix-on-Six implant dentures use mini dental implants, we’re often able to restore smiles even for those struggling with bone loss. With the roundhouse bridge, you’ll enjoy a natural look and a stronger bite right away while preventing future bone loss.
Ready to see if you’re eligible? Take the next step: text/call 510-591-0091 or fill out our convenient form to schedule an appointment today.
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