Almost 75% of Brits have at least one missing tooth,[i] which makes offering patients ways to replace them essential for preserving the nation’s oral health. However, if missing teeth are not addressed quickly, the risk of bone loss increases, making it more complicated to restore the dentition with dental implants. As such, it is important that clinicians are able to understand the benefits of restoring bone density, both in order to place dental implants, and to prevent further oral health problems.i
Benefits of replacing missing teeth
There are a wide range of benefits of replacing a missing tooth or teeth, offering patients dramatic improvements to quality of life and oral health, as well as expanding options for any future dental care. It is important that patients understand the consequences of choosing not to replace their missing tooth. These include:
- Neighbouring teeth moving out of position – causing both aesthetic and functional concerns
- Opposing teeth over-erupting due to lack of resistance – resulting in sensitivity and poor aesthetics
- Problems with chewing – placing stress on the remaining teeth
- Occlusal issues – potentially effecting oral health, eating, and confidence
- Bone loss – leading to a ‘sunken’ appearance, affecting neighbouring teeth, and limiting options for further dental treatmenti
Therefore, by acting quickly to replace a missing tooth, the likelihood of the above problems developing reduces. Implants are widely recognised as the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, however, sometimes augmentation procedures are required in order to create sufficient bone quality to facilitate implant placement. Depending on the requirements of the case, bone augmentation may be carried out at the time of implant placement, or prior to dental implant placement and is conventionally allowed to heal for three to six months before dental implant treatment, as it can cause bruising and swelling.[ii]
Treatment options for hard tissue augmentation
When planning for bone augmentation, it is important to consider the most appropriate technique which will create a long-lasting outcome. For example, the sausage technique is a less invasive option when compared to the use of autogenous bone blocks, offering a big advantage for patients.[iii] The sausage technique involves harvesting much less autogenous bone, and creating a particulate bone graft composed of 50% autogenous bone and 50% xenogenic bone graft.iii
Whilst it is not a medical term, the technique is known as the ‘sausage technique’ as it involves using a membrane and stretching it out with mini-tacks to completely immobilise the bone graft – this improves stability.iii This technique also supports good bone formation, enabling capillaries from the periosteum to pass through the membrane and allow for nutrient transfer and vascularisation.iii
Experience and skill development
Experience and skill development In order to provide the best possible treatment options to their patients, clinicians must ensure they have the appropriate experience and training. Some clinicians who provide dental implants are unable to offer a full range of treatments in the practice, so must refer patients with more complex issues who require bone augmentation to a more experienced practitioner. Undertaking courses designed to improve your skills in dental implant treatment and the associated procedures enables you to take on more complex cases with confidence. In time, this will mean improved patient care, and a larger treatment offering in the practice, allowing you to attract patient referrals from other dentists who are offering dental implant treatment.
The Advanced Horizontal & Vertical Augmentation course from the ASHA Club provides clinicians with a comprehensive overview of the processes involved in both hard and soft tissue augmentation, ideal for clinicians who already provide dental implant treatment and want to expand their capabilities. Further to this, course delegates are able to solidify their learning through mentoring opportunities provided by ASHA Club founder, Dr Selvaraj Balaji, and gain access to an exclusive ASHA Club WhatsApp group for further support. New course dates for the two-part course have been announced for 2025: 25th-26th and 11th-12th July.
By providing patients with a bone graft, in order to best support dental implant treatment, the successful results of treatment are longer lasting, and will offer patients many years of improved oral health. However, it’s important that clinicians undertake high-quality education in order to offer excellent results in their practice, rather than requiring referral complex cases. By understanding the techniques required to offer excellent patient care, clinicians can offer the best standards of treatment, for long-lasting results.
Find out more at https://www.ashaclub.co.uk/courses
Advanced Horizontal & Vertical Augmentation
25th & 26th April / 11th and 12th July 2025
To book, please call: 07974 304269 or email: info@ashaclub.co.uk
[i] Bupa. What happens if you don’t replace a missing tooth? Accessed Nov 24. https://www.bupa.co.uk/dental/dental-care/news/what-happens-if-missing-tooth-not-replaced
[ii] NHS Guy’s and St Thomas’. Bone grafting for dental implants. Accessed Nov 24. https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/bone-grafting-dental-implants
[iii] Implant Practice US. In brief: the sausage technique. Accessed Nov 24. https://implantpracticeus.com/brief-sausage-technique
