November 14TH, 2025 / Dr. Andrea Joy Smith
Bone loss in the jaw is extremely common after missing teeth, gum disease, or years of wearing traditional dentures. However, advances in implant dentistry mean that many patients who were once considered ineligible can now receive secure, long-lasting dental implants.
At Andrea Joy Smith, DDS, DICOI in Sacramento, CA, Dr. Andrea Joy Smith uses advanced imaging, guided surgical technology, and today’s most effective grafting and implant placement techniques to treat patients with reduced bone volume — helping them regain confidence, chewing strength, and a natural-looking smile.
When a tooth is lost, the bone beneath it no longer receives stimulation from chewing. This leads to bone resorption — progressive shrinking of the jawbone. Over time, bone loss can cause:
The longer the tooth is missing, the more bone is lost — but even significant resorption can often be corrected.
Bone grafting rebuilds the structure needed to support dental implants. Dr. Smith may use your own bone, donor bone, or biocompatible synthetic materials to restore height, width, and density. This is one of the most reliable ways to make dental implants possible again, even after years of bone loss.
In the upper back jaw, the sinus cavities tend to expand into the empty tooth space after tooth loss. A sinus lift creates additional vertical bone height by gently lifting the sinus membrane and placing graft material beneath it, dramatically improving implant success in the upper molar and premolar regions.
When the jaw ridge is too narrow or uneven to support an implant, ridge augmentation rebuilds the natural contour and thickness of the bone. This is especially important for implants placed in the front of the mouth where aesthetics matter most.
For patients with extensive bone loss, full-arch implant systems often provide a stable, graft-free solution. These treatments use four to six strategically angled implants to take advantage of the strongest areas of remaining bone, offering a full arch of fixed teeth, faster timelines, and reliable function even with low bone volume. Dr. Smith uses guided implant technology to ensure ideal positioning for long-term durability.
Mini implants can sometimes be used when the jawbone is too narrow for standard implants. They are especially helpful for stabilizing loose dentures. Whether minis are suitable depends on your anatomy and long-term smile goals.
In many cases, yes. Thanks to today’s techniques — including bone grafting, sinus lifts, ridge augmentation, and All-on-4 implant systems — even patients with advanced bone loss can achieve secure, functional implants. A personalized evaluation with Dr. Smith will determine the best approach.
Dr. Andrea Joy Smith will guide you step-by-step through your personalized treatment plan.
If you’ve been told that dental implants aren’t possible, you may have more options than you think. Modern implant dentistry allows many Sacramento patients to enjoy stable, beautiful, natural-feeling teeth — even after years of bone loss.
To learn more or schedule your implant consultation with Dr. Andrea Joy Smith at Andrea Joy Smith, DDS, DICOI, contact the office today.