Are Basal Implants The Solution For Patients With Bone Loss?

Low bone density is no problem for Yorkshire Dental Suite. Using innovative bone augmentations and specially placed implants, our world-class team will bring your beautiful smile to life. Book a consultation today.

Are you someone with bone loss who wants to have their teeth replaced? There are multiple treatments to choose from, including basal implants. This advanced procedure allows patients with even the smallest amount of bone material to receive a smile transformation.

What are basal implants?

A basal implant is a type of dental implant that attaches to the basal bone. This is an extremely hard and dense part of the jawbone that is great for supporting an artificial tooth or bridge. They are primarily used for patients with less than 5mm of available bone for full or partial implant treatments.

Nicknamed ‘immediate loading implants’, the procedure often allows implants to be placed without the need for bone augmentation. The name can also be attributed to the fact that, within 72 hours of the implants being fitted, a crown or bridge may be permanently fixed in place.

Basal implant procedure

After your consultation, your dentist is able to proceed with the basal implant surgery. We have broken it down below, step by step.

You are given local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable and pain-free throughout the procedure. Sedation is also available for nervous patients.

1. Any remaining teeth that cannot be saved are gently removed.
2. A small channel is prepared so the implants can be securely anchored into the basal bone.
3. Your dentist places the implants and checks they are firmly secured.
4. Impressions or digital scans are taken, which will be used to create your custom teeth.
5. A fixed temporary bridge may be fitted, allowing you to leave the clinic with your new smile.
6. Within 72 hours (timeframe varies depending on your treatment plan), you will return to have your custom bridge fixed in place.

Who is a good candidate for basal implants?

Do you have broken, worn and missing teeth? You are most likely eligible for basal dental implants. The procedure is a great solution for those with insufficient bone density for traditional teeth implants. It is also an alternative to dentures.

Typically, all your dentist requires of you is that you are able to finance the treatment, you have more unsavable teeth than healthy teeth and there is no active gum disease present in the mouth.

What are the advantages of basal implants?

Like any dental treatment, there are pros and cons of basal implants to be aware of prior to booking your appointment. Let’s start with the pros.

• Accessible: Helps patients with very little bone to get the smile they deserve
• Immeasurable confidence boost: Patients can enjoy an immediate smile transformation
• Improved quality of life: Stops the everyday pain and embarrassment you are experiencing
• Time and cost effective: Eliminates the need for bone grafts
• Great stability: They are attached to the robust basal bone
• No dentures: An effective alternative to uncomfortable dentures that slide around the mouth
• Quick results: Final teeth typically fitted within 72 hours of implant placement

What are the disadvantages of basal implants?

Now that we have covered the pros, let’s move on to the potential cons, risks and dangers of the basal implant:

• Failure of the treatment: Your jawbone fails to knit to the implant (osseointegration) and rejects it
• Infection (peri-implantitis): Caused by numerous factors, like poor oral hygiene. May result in implant failure
• Nerve damage: Improper placement can injure nearby nerves
• Sinus issues: Improper placement in the upper jaw poses a risk of congestion, inflammation and irritation
• Gum recession: The gums pull away and expose the implant, which may lead to issues such as infection

Please note that traditional dental implants are also subject to the aforementioned risks. However, basal implants also come with unique complications:

• Osteointegration is potentially compromised: Due to the lack of a healing period
• Complex removal: Just like its placement, removing this type of implant is often very tricky and requires more surgical skill
• Not widely available: Many clinics (and countries) will not offer basal implants
• Complication rates: A study that examined the survival rate and complications of basal implants found that there was a 30.9% rate of implant bending. (1)

Basal implants are actually banned in some countries (Germany and Sweden, for example) due to concerns surrounding the treatment’s safety and effectiveness.

How much do basal implants cost?

Dental implants in the UK are typically priced from £1,400 for a single implant, going up to £50,000+ for full mouth restorations. Many consider basal implants to be cheaper than their traditional counterpart, as you are not paying for a bone graft.

The cost will vary from patient to patient. It will also change based on the practice you visit, for example, many private clinics in London will have a higher price due to their location. In addition to this, dental implants are very rarely available on the NHS, meaning you will need to seek treatment at a private practice.

If you need any of the following to make your basal implants a success, the cost of your procedure will increase:

• Hygiene appointments: For patients with gum disease
• Gum graft: For patients with receding gums
• Teeth whitening (optional): Ensures a perfect colour match between your implants and natural teeth

Which is better, basal implant or conventional implant treatment?

You may be trying to decide which procedure is the most suitable for your smile. To help you get a better idea, we have compiled the following data. Basal implant vs conventional implant – let’s compare.

Yorkshire Dental Suite recommends a traditional dental implant. Thanks to clever bone graft augmentations, patients with bone loss can still have dental implant treatment – plus, this type of procedure has more research backing its longevity and effects on the human body.

Basal implants FAQs

We understand that basal implants may be hard to understand. We have answered some of the common questions our experts receive about this procedure below. If your query isn’t addressed, do not hesitate to contact us.

How long do basal implants last?

If the placement is correct and the patient cares for their smile well, this type of implant may last 15 – 20+ years, making it a long-term solution to your everyday dental issues.

What are basal implants made of?

The answer to this changes from practice to practice. The typical material used is titanium, due to its high biological compatibility.

Where can I find basal implants? UK patients

Basal implants are not as readily available compared to traditional dental implants. You will need to conduct your own research to see which of your local practices offer the treatment. Yorkshire Dental Suite does not provide the procedure.

Are basal implants painful?

The surgery itself is painless with sedation or anaesthetic. However, you will likely face discomfort while your mouth recovers from the surgery. This can be managed with your usual over-the-counter pain medication. Please contact your dentist if the discomfort persists.

Conclusion:

Whilst they may seem like the ideal solution to patients with bone loss, Yorkshire Dental Suite advises you choose traditional dental implants instead. They are backed by years of extensive clinical research, have an impressive lifespan and can still be provided to patients with bone loss.

If you want to kickstart your dental implant journey but don’t know where to start, book a consultation with Yorkshire Dental Suite today.

References:

(1)   https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12663-026-03060-2

(2)   https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10498012/#REF13

https://www.adi.org.uk/resources/after_care_survival_and_success/