Determining if you have enough bone for a dental implant requires a professional assessment by a dentist. After a tooth is removed, the body naturally resorbs the bone in that area, which can make implant placement more difficult. To prevent this bone loss, a procedure called socket preservation can be performed at the time of extraction. This involves placing a grafting material into the socket to maintain the bone's natural shape and volume, making future implant placement easier.
To assess the site for an implant, a dentist will typically take a special 3D X-ray called a Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scan. This scan provides a detailed view of the bone's height and width. If the scan reveals insufficient bone volume, additional procedures such as bone grafting or a sinus lift may be necessary to create a suitable foundation for the implant. These procedures help to ensure the implant can be placed precisely and with confidence.