Bone Grafting or No Bone Grafting? A Common Dental Implant Dilemma

Missing lower front teeth massive bone loss defect

(updated February 2025) This patient has severe bone loss of the lower front teeth area. He wants implants, but was told by numerous dentists it could not be done.  A huge part of my practice in Burbank, California is devoted to treating these very difficult dental implant cases where huge bone grafts may be needed.  … Read more

Subperiosteal Dental Implant – Extreme Lower Jaw Bone Loss

Lower subperiosteal upper zygomatic/pterygoid dental implants panoramic x-ray

A subperiosteal implant is a custom metal frame implant that goes OVER the bone rather than into the bone.  They are an option for patients with dentures who were told they cannot have implants due to severe bone loss.  Regular dental implants are basically screws that are inserted INTO the bone. A subperiosteal dental implant … Read more

Upper Mini Dental Implants vs. Zygomatic and Pterygoid All-on-4 Implants

mini implant xray

Mini dental implants and zygomatic implants are as opposite as they come! In this video I explain how someone with “no bone” on the upper jaw would consider mini dental implants vs. zygomatic/pterygoid dental implants. Which type of dental implant lasts longer? Which type of implant is prone to problems? Video Transcription lightly edited for … Read more

Quad Zygomatic Dental Implants To Replace Dentures Without Bone

quad-zygomatic-dental-implants-xray

The quad zygomatic implant bridge is a solution for the patient who truly has no bone on the upper jaw.  Quadruple zygomatic implants are intended to replace a full upper denture with a non-removable, fixed implant bridge within 24 hours.   A quad zygoma dental implant bridge requires no bone grafting of any kind!   Most … Read more

Slow and Staged Dental Implants

Digital implant model

(updated October 2024) Most of the time my preference is for immediate extraction, implant and bone grafting simultaneously.  In this case it is best to slowly stage each out into separate procedures with some time in between.  This is because the bone loss is so bad it is much more predictable for the bone to … Read more

Can I Get Dental Implants Without Enough Bone? (Video & Text)

Can I Get Dental Implants without having any bone

(updated October 2024) Dental implants without enough bone….how can that be done? Is it possible? If you don’t have any bone left at all, and you’ve been told there’s just not enough bone to get implants, what are your choices? In my office, I treat the most extreme of extreme patients. So when the bone … Read more

Gum Graft/Transplant for Dental Implants… Is It Necessary?

Receding gum on dental implant

Gum Graft/Transplant for Dental Implants… Is It Necessary? IT IS ONE OF THE KEYS TO SUCCESS! When talking about dental implants most people focus on the bone alone. The bone sets the tone, but the (gum) tissue is the issue. I get 100s of questions asking if a gum graft should be done at the … Read more

Big Bone Graft For Molars

Bone graft results

(updated January 2025) This patient presented to my office in Burbank, CA  after seeing numerous “dental implant dentists.” He was told that implants are not possible by three different providers! Bone Loss Needs Large Bone Graft The preoperative image shows that he has very skinny bone in the area where the teeth were lost many … Read more

Zygomatic Implant Planning -Ramsey Amin DDS -Burbank

zygomatic implants video thumbnail

Planning zygomatic implants in 3D is one of the most important parts of the diagnostic process.  In this video you can see how I placed  a quad zygoma… Meaning four zygomatic dental implants for an upper jaw that has literally no bone.  The implants are kind of laying on the side of the jaw near … Read more

Zygomatic Implants Lip and Face Support – Ramsey Amin DDS

lip face support

(updated January 2025) This patient I treated in Burbank, CA has no bone on the upper jaw.  You can see that she was unable to wear a denture.  Her face would cave in right to the bottom of the nose! I placed four zygomatic implants (quad zygoma) with a fixed bridge that she does not … Read more

Collapsed Overbite Caused By Missing Teeth Video

Digital dental implant impression

  This is a GREAT example on how missing back teeth cause the entire bite to collapse. This is my patient I am treating. These are digital 3D scan models that I made in the office. Rather than the teeth interdigitating with each other they are passing by each other more like pair of scissors. … Read more

VIDEO -Zygomatic Immediate Load Dental Implant Planning

3D scan of zygomatic implant

In this video I describe the 3-D planning for a full upper dental implant procedure. Bone quality and quantity are discussed as well as immediate teeth made when the teeth are extracted and implants are placed. This is how I do all of my cases. This case happens to have a zygomatic implant on the … Read more

Complication – Bone Graft is Exposed – Platelet PRF Treatment

Complication - Bone graft is exposed

Ramsey Amin DDS I don’t have complications too often but this is one worth sharing. I did a very large block bone graft in the front of the mouth for dental implants. The bone graft was both vertical and horizontal and gained a lot of volume. The block bone graft was held in by screws … Read more

Last Molar Extracted… Do I Need A Dental Implant?

Last Molars in Contact

(updated January 2024) My last molar was extracted… Do I need a dental implant? I have received this comment/question so many times that I decided to write a quick post about it! Missing Lower Second Molar –No bite support on Upper Molar after lower was lost Last Molars Are Not Always Needed To be clear, … Read more

Complications-Bone Graft For Failed Full Lower Dental Implants

Unhealthy, failing dental implants

Sad story of dental implant complications… This woman had 4 implants done already in her lower jaw. She already lost one when she came to see me. You can see that the gum tissue looks really irritated and there is visible infection of the implants… they look terrible!! These implants are failing and there is … Read more

Sometimes Dental Implants Are Not The Best Option

Elongated dental implant teeth with expose the abutment and non-cosmetic result

Sometimes dental implants are not the best option!  I know this sounds strange coming from a dental implant specialist but for the last 20 years of my career, there are some cases that are best off not having implants.  There are disadvantages to dental implants.  There are also disadvantages to bridges as well. Sometimes the … Read more

Replace Loose Long Bridge -Dental Implants And Bone Expansion

dental implant healing abutments -Mouth

This Burbank patient had a loose lower bridge.  She had had the bridge for about only 8 years before it failed and became loose.  You know a bridge is failing when it feels painful to bite down or there is movement.  This unfortunately is a daily thing I see every day.  Teeth were never intended … Read more

Bone Graft Correcting Dental Implant Peri-Implantitis Bone Loss ~ Case Example

bone-banner

before treatment–bone loss in the mid body of implant causing inflammation, redness and pain Bone loss can and does occur around dental implants.  Often this is called peri-implantitis and there are a few treatment options. Review signs and symptoms of peri-implantitis dental implant bone loss in this previous article. Bone loss on implants happens on … Read more

Bone Graft Membrane Sticking Out And Exposed

Ramsey Amin credentials

(updated January 2024) (Another great post on membranes.-Click here to see what they look like in the the mouth) These are questions and comments I receive constantly on my blog and from patients who come to see me in Burbank, California. New patients who come see me ask, “Is it okay if my bone graft … Read more

What is Peri-implantitis and What Do I Do About It? – Bone Loss Around Dental Implants ~Burbank Dentist, Ramsey Amin Reviews

Bad Dental Implants With Infection

One of the long-term risks associated with dental implants is a condition called Peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis Definition: Infectious disease that causes inflammation of the surrounding gum and bone of an already integrated dental implant, leading to the loss of supporting bone. These two x-rays show implants with bone loss. Bone Loss Around Dental Implants Bone, for … Read more

The Bone is Showing After Extraction Graft!

After Extraction and Bone Graft…The Bone is Showing.

(updated July 2024) You may have had your tooth extracted and a bone graft placed at the same time. About once or twice a week I get emails from around the world with patients who have had this very common (pre dental implant) procedure. You may be worried because you can see that the bone … Read more

Dental Implant is Too Deep, Tooth Looks Long

Dental Implant is Too Deep, Tooth Looks Long

Dental implants, especially in the front of the mouth, need to be placed with a high degree of accuracy. When an implant is placed too shallow or worse yet too deep in the front of the mouth it creates a cosmetic failure– a long tooth and sometimes black triangles. This is especially true on a … Read more

What is Sinus Expansion? Do I Need a Sinus Lift? Sinus is Big and Close…Burbank Dental Implant Expert Reviews

3D scan of sinus

Your sinuses are big hollow holes above your upper teeth.  The roots of your upper back teeth are really close to your sinus. In order to have dental implants in that area, sometimes a sinus lift bone graft is necessary to treat the expanded sinus.  Whether you live in Burbank ,Glendale or Los Angeles, all … Read more

The “Void” Bone Graft for Immediate Single Implants – American Board Diplomate Explains

pre-molar-block-bone-graft-Ramsey-Amin-DDS-4-150x150

A bone graft for immediate single implants is often needed. Most immediate implants are for single rooted teeth like your front and middle back teeth (premolars.) In my Burbank dental implant practice, this type of bone graft is common. Most implants are round in shape.  Most extraction sockets are oval or rectangular if they are … Read more

Burbank Implant Dentist Explains Titanium Mesh Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

Missing lateral upper teeth

Titanium mesh is one of many techniques I use in my Burbank dental implant practice to rebuild (graft) lost bone.  Titanium mesh is sometimes referred to as “ti-mesh.” It looks like a screen as shown in this picture. It acts as a barrier and physical support of the gums over the bone graft. I place … Read more

2 Dental Implant Complications You Should Know – Video by Burbank’s Dr. Amin

Dr. Ramsey Amin DDS

A patient in my Burbank office asked me about the long-term with implants. Dental implant complications can occur.  Most focus on the surgery, but what I am talking about is what happens later down the road. Later, meaning after the crown, bridge or full implant restoration has been attached to the implants. This video reviews … Read more

I Don’t Have Enough Bone For Dental Implants

Panoramic xray of no teeth

The main qualifier for having dental implants is having enough bone.  If you don’t have enough bone for dental implants, the bone can be rebuilt or I can use remotely placed implants such as pterygoid implants and zygomatic implants.  If you don’t have enough gum, that can be added back (with a gum graft), too. … Read more

Bone Grafts…How Long Do Bone Grafts Take to Heal? (video & text)

Bone grafts video by Dr. Ramsey Amin DDS

(updated July 2024) Some bone grafts for dental implants take longer to heal than others. In this video, I cover several factors that determine how long your bone graft takes to heal.  Remember that many times the bone grafts and dental implants can be done simultaneously. (Related topic –click here)          Factors affecting … Read more

Mandibular Tori Used as Bone Graft Source For Dental Implants

Missing molar on lower arch

Mandibular tori (bone bumps next to your tongue) can sometimes be used as bone graft source for dental implants. The images in this post are of a patient I recently treated in Burbank. She is missing one of her first molar teeth and the bone has shrunk because it has been a long time since … Read more

Burbank Dental Implants – Correcting a Collapsing Bite Problem

Dental implants on lower jaw

It is a fact that if you just lose even one tooth, two bad things will definitely happen: 1.    Your other teeth will move 2.    Your bone in the area of the missing teeth will shrink (Bone loss -Atrophy) Here is an example: The line depicts the straight line where all the teeth should be relatively even … Read more

Burbank Sinus Lift Bone Graft for Dental Implants Case Example -Ramsey Amin,DDS

Xray of sinus lift bone graft for dental implants

This is a fantastic sinus lift bone graft for dental implants case that I completed yesterday in my Burbank private practice. This patient was missing three teeth in the upper right area. These are the three main teeth that allow you to chew. Because the teeth were missing for so long, the bone shrank, and … Read more

Root Canal Apicoectomy Failure – Relation to Dental Implants (Ramsey Amin DDS – Burbank, California)

dental implants xray by Burbank Dental Implants: Ramsey Amin DDS

If you have a root canal and now need a dental implant there are some very important issues to be aware of.  This is especially important if the tooth to be extracted is in the upper front area. It will have consequences on the final result and cosmetic appearance of the implant. A previous failed root … Read more

The Ovate Pontic – Ramsey Amin DDS of Burbank Explains This Dental Implant Bridge Detail

Bad dental bridge

When a tooth is lost through decay, trauma, or periodontal disease, the best way to replace it today is with a dental implant. If three to four front teeth are missing, two dental implants and a bridge may be the best option for cosmetic reasons so that the teeth look real. Most conventional bridges use … Read more

Burbank Implant Dentist on Extraction Defects…Relation to Dental Implants and Bone Grafts

Smile picture

Teeth are removed for several reasons, including periodontal (gum) disease, extreme decay, and for orthodontic reasons.  Once a tooth is removed, the shape of the ridge (i.e., the supporting bone and gum in which the tooth was situated and retained) changes. If there has been extensive bone loss, or if the tooth needed to be … Read more

Front Tooth Bone Loss and Dental Implant Replacement

Smile picture

These x-rays tell the story: Her original two front teeth were in bad shape and had severe bone loss.  They were even loose! Both center front teeth were extracted and a bone graft was done.  The teeth were replaced with dental implants.   I was able to rebuild the lost bone.  She was told by her … Read more

Sinus Bone Lifting – Internal

xray of missing tooth

There are two ways to “lift the sinus” if you are missing bone for an upper back tooth. Read this post first  and watch this sinus graft video to understand the two main techniques and understand why this procedure is needed. Internal Sinus Lift Procedure This procedure is used when the bone loss of the … Read more

Nerve-Repositioning for Lower Dental Implants

Nerve-Repositioning or “Nerve Lateralization” is reserved for the rarest of cases, but is extremely useful in the right situation. This is a procedure that I perform.

It is only done to replace the lower back teeth with a very unique situation.  You may need this procedure if the bone is not “tall” enough to have an implant.  There also needs to be a lack of space from in-between you top and bottom teeth

Lower Back teeth with implants healing:

IMG_0112

Here is a picture of a patient with a lot of space between the bottom and top teeth:

IMG_8311

This space can be built back with bone with some difficulty.

This is a picture of a patient that has very little space:

LEFT

It is more desirable to have less space, which means you have more bone.

A CT scan is required for this procedure.  Below are some example images.

The orange line in this image is where the nerve is. You don’t want the

Read more

Video – Sinus Lift Bone Graft for Dental Implants

sinus lift bone graft video

Sinus lift bone grafts are done when you need dental implants for your upper back teeth, but don't have enough bone. The procedure has been done since the mid 1970's. I was personally trained by the inventor of this procedure, Dr. Hilt Tatum This video is intended to give you some insight to why and … Read more

What is a “Block Bone Graft” Associated with Dental Implants? — Video

block bone graft video

UPDATE TO THIS POST —-CLICK HERE Many patients have come to me for second opinions about bone grafts. Specifically, they were told they need a "block graft" or "onlay graft." Although this procedure is popular and works well, there is not a lot of patient information available about it. This video should give you a … Read more

Repairing Dental Implants

Despite dental implants having a high success rate, an implant is not immune from problems.  An extremely small percentage of implants or teeth made on implants can exhibit problems with the bone or gum. Most important is prevention from this occurring.  Dental implants must be placed in areas where bone and gum are abundant.  If … Read more