If you lost your teeth to trauma, congenital or acquired disease that can cause the loss of the supporting bone. When the bone loss is not severe an oral surgeon can place dental implants. More severe bone loss cases have to be treated with reconstruction surgery and bone transplant to prepare you for future implant placement.

Sometimes, dentists take a short cut: place short, narrow or very long implants in a limited anchorage site. These are so called “zygomatic implants”. Zygomatic implants can cause a lot of damage – pass through the maxillary sinuses and anchor in the cheek bone.

The treatment goal is not to modify the size of the implants but to restore the missing bone. There is nothing more predictable than your own bone. Your surgeon will evaluate your case and suggest a proper treatment. You will require bone grafting, or bone transplants from areas such as the skull, hip, lower or upper extremities.

Bone reconstruction surgery is an extremely predictable procedure when performed by a qualified craniomaxillofacial surgeon. Once the bone is replaced and reestablished normal anatomy, you are ready for the implant placement to restore the missing teeth.

Read more on Reconstructive Surgery in a Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Read more about reconstructive procedures performed by Dr.George Anastassov MD, DDS at Maxillofacial Surgery Services.

Dr. George Anastassov is a double qualified Maxillofacial surgeon, fellowship trained in craniofacial and base of the skull surgery. Doctor has an extreme training and expertise in the treatment of congenital and acquired craniofacial malformations.