Have you been told you need a dental implant and you also have Osteoporosis, and you’re wondering, well, can I get this implant because I have Osteoporosis? I’m Dr. Rachel Miro and I’m an associate dentist here at Dental Implants and Aesthetic Specialists, and today we’re going to talk about dental implants and Osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis and Dental Implants
While it is known that Osteoporosis can affect your bone quality, it’s not necessarily a contraindication to getting dental implants. A lot of patients think, well, if I have Osteoporosis, I can’t get dental implants. That’s not necessarily the case. Here at Dental Implants and Aesthetic Specialists, we really like to work with your primary doctor, your doctor who’s treating your Osteoporosis, and make sure that we come up with a plan that’s best for you. That means we want to consult with them and make sure that you are a good candidate for this dental implant.
Candidacy for Dental Implants
That being said, most patients with Osteoporosis are candidates for dental implants, and we usually have no problem with the recovery rate. Here at our office, we’re a Prosthodontist office at our core and see a lot of patients that need dental implants, but also a lot of patients that are above 60, and Osteoporosis is one of their medical conditions. Therefore, we’re readily equipped to handle this.
Medication Considerations
One of the big deciding factors for patients with Osteoporosis is what medication they’re on and how long they’ve been on their medication. That’s why we really need to work with your doctor who’s been prescribing your medication for Osteoporosis. This is the first thing that we really take into consideration when deciding whether we can place an implant on a patient with Osteoporosis. The biggest test that we really have to measure, if you get an implant and you have Osteoporosis, is your bone density. That’s really what determines if you’re a good candidate for an implant.
Options for Patients on Long-Term Medications
That being said, a lot of patients who have been on bisphosphonate medications for Osteoporosis for a really long time and feel disheartened because they can’t get an implant, we have options for you too. Here at Dental Implants and Aesthetic Specialists, we work to serve our patients, and we have many options for replacing missing teeth.
Alternative Option: Dental Bridge
Really, the biggest option that we give patients, if they aren’t a candidate for that implant because they have Osteoporosis, is a dental bridge. A bridge is something that adjoins the two teeth. It’s fixed in your mouth. You can’t take it out. No one will be able to tell that you were ever missing your tooth, and really, that’s a great option for some patients who may have been on this.
Osteoporosis medication for five to ten years, and they’re just not a candidate for implants.
Working with Patients’ Preferences
That being said, a lot of patients with Osteoporosis, even though we do have other options, really what they want is that single implant to replace that missing tooth, and that’s okay. We will work with your provider. Sometimes, we have patients go on drug holidays. A drug holiday is when they stop taking that medication for a small amount of time. Usually, their doctor will say that if they don’t take it for three months, that’s totally fine. Let the patient get the implant, let them heal, and then they’re happy to start them back on the medication.
Collaborative Approach with Healthcare Providers
We really do take a collaborative approach to all of this. We work with the patient and their doctors to ensure that whatever is best for them is what we are doing. In the end, patients end up being extremely happy with whatever decision they make, whether it’s the implant or the bridge, as long as they know that it’s the best decision for them and for their overall health.
Conclusion
Do you have Osteoporosis and are curious if you need a dental implant for your missing tooth? Or maybe you’re just wondering what the best option is for you. We’re happy to give you a consultation. We’re happy to work with your doctors, and we’re happy to get you back to that smile that you want and need in order to function.
I’m Dr. Rachel Miro, and I’m a dentist here at Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialist. I’m here to help you watch your mouth.