Dental Implants for Bone Loss

Missing teeth can make it harder to eat, speak and smile with confidence. But if you’ve also been told you have bone loss in your jaw, you may be wondering: Are dental implants still an option for me?

At Aspen Dental, the answer is often yes. Thanks to advanced solutions like bone grafting and zygomatic implants, many patients who once thought they were limited to dentures now have more options—including permanent ones.

Even in complex cases, we create personalized care plans to help restore your smile, function and confidence. Schedule an appointment today to talk with your care team about dental implants.

Why bone loss happens without dental implants

Bone loss in the jaw is more common than many patients realize—and it often begins after tooth loss. Without the daily pressure and stimulation from natural teeth, the bone underneath starts to shrink. Here are the most common causes:

Tooth loss: Missing teeth no longer stimulate the jawbone, which causes it to shrink over time.

Gum disease: Advanced periodontal disease can break down the bone and soft tissues that support your teeth.

Trauma or aging: Accidents or natural aging can affect bone density and structure.

Because dental implants are placed directly into the jawbone, having enough healthy bone is important. But bone loss doesn’t automatically disqualify you. It just means your care plan might require additional steps to make implants possible.

Can you get dental implants with bone loss?

Yes—you may still be a candidate, even if you’ve experienced bone loss.

At Aspen Dental, we’ve helped thousands of patients with reduced bone volume explore implant options that are safe, stable and long-lasting. Here’s how:

Bone grafting can rebuild your jawbone to provide a strong foundation for implants.

Zygomatic implants anchor into the cheekbone instead of the jawbone—ideal for patients with severe bone loss in the upper jaw.

Implant-supported dentures offer a more secure solution for patients who may not be candidates for individual implants.

Your Aspen Dental care team will evaluate your mouth and bone health thoroughly to find the right path forward. No assumptions. No one-size-fits-all solutions. Just expert care designed for you.

Bone grafting for dental implants

Bone grafting is one of the most common ways to help patients with bone loss become eligible for dental implants. It’s a safe, routine procedure that helps regenerate bone tissue.

Here’s what to expect:

What it is: Bone grafting uses natural or synthetic material to rebuild and strengthen the jawbone.

How it works: Your dentist at Aspen Dental adds grafting material to the area where bone has been lost. Over the next few months, your body integrates the new material into your natural bone.

Timeline: Healing takes time, but once complete, your jaw will be ready for dental implant placement.

Cost: Bone grafting is an additional procedure and may increase the overall cost of treatment. Some insurance providers may help cover it, depending on your plan. We work with most insurance plans (except Medicaid) and can help you navigate your benefits.

Zygomatic implants as an alternative

If you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone for traditional implants, zygomatic implants may offer a solution.

How they work: Instead of anchoring into the jawbone, these longer implants are placed into the zygoma—your cheekbone—which is naturally dense and stable.

Benefits: Zygomatic implants can often be placed without bone grafting, which can save time and reduce overall treatment steps.

Success rate: Aspen Dental implant procedures, including advanced solutions like zygomatic implants, have a success rate of 98%.

While not right for everyone, zygomatic implants offer new possibilities for patients who’ve been told dental implants weren’t an option. Your Aspen Dental dentist will walk you through whether this approach is a good fit for you.

Dental implants vs. dentures for tooth loss

If you’re considering ways to replace missing teeth, you’ve likely come across two common options: dental implants and dentures. While both can restore your smile, they serve different needs and have distinct features.

Dental implants

Dental implants are a fixed and stable solution designed to look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth. One of the main benefits is that they help prevent the bone loss that can occur with missing teeth. While implants have a higher upfront cost, they are a longer-lasting solution.

Dentures

Dentures are a removable and more affordable option for tooth replacement. However, they can sometimes shift or loosen over time and do not preserve the underlying bone structure like implants do. Because of this, they may require more frequent replacements over the years.

Implant dentures

There’s also a third option to consider: implant-supported dentures. This solution combines the affordability of dentures with the added security of implants, offering a middle ground between the two.

At Aspen Dental, we’ll walk you through each of these options so you can choose what works best for your health, lifestyle and budget.

Cost of dental implants with bone loss

The total cost of dental implants depends on a few factors—especially if bone loss is involved. Costs may increase if additional procedures like bone grafting or advanced implants are needed.

But at Aspen Dental, we make sure cost doesn’t stand between you and the care you need.

We offer flexible financing options to break up the cost into manageable monthly payments.

99% of our patients are approved for financing when they apply through third-party lenders.

We work with most major insurance providers (except Medicaid).

No insurance? The Aspen Dental Savings Plan offers members discounts on dental services.

Your care team will walk you through every detail of your treatment plan, including pricing, before anything begins.

Dental implants for bone loss FAQs

Can I get implants without bone grafting?

Yes. Some patients with sufficient bone density may not need grafting. And in cases of significant bone loss, zygomatic implants or implant-supported dentures may be viable alternatives. Your dentist at Aspen Dental will determine what works best for your case.

How long does it take to heal after bone grafting?

Healing time depends on your health and the size of the graft. It typically takes several months before your jaw is strong enough to support implants. Your Aspen Dental dentist will monitor your healing and let you know when you’re ready.

Are zygomatic implants safe?

Yes. When placed by experienced dental professionals, zygomatic implants are a safe and effective solution for patients with severe bone loss. They’ve been used for decades in complex cases with excellent outcomes.

What is the cost difference between implants and dentures for bone loss?

Dentures tend to cost less upfront but may need replacement over time. Implants require a higher initial investment, but they’re longer-lasting—and they help protect the bone underneath.

Does insurance cover bone grafting or implants?

Some dental insurance plans may cover bone grafting if it’s considered medically necessary. Coverage for dental implants varies, as they’re sometimes classified as elective. At Aspen Dental, we’ll help you understand your benefits—and we offer financing and savings plans to help make care more affordable.

Ready to explore your dental implant options?

If you’ve been told you can’t get dental implants because of bone loss, we’re here to show you that you may have more options than you think. Whether your solution involves bone grafting, advanced implants or implant-supported dentures, our team is ready to help you take the next step.

Schedule an appointment today and get care that’s built around your needs—start to finish.