Bone Grafting
Are you a Good Candidate for Bone Grafting?
Many patients who have lost bone after gum disease, tooth loss, or trauma to the mouth are good candidates for bone grafting. We may need to restore lost bone to prepare your jaw for dental implants or to prevent future problems with the jaw. You lose bone as soon as the tooth is removed from its root and the bone in the jaw cannot be restored until you get a bone graft or dental implants. Our doctors are skilled in this procedure and may recommend it as part of your treatment plan.
What to Expect with Bone Grafting Procedures
You need a certain amount of solid and sturdy bone available for successful dental implant placement. Without enough bone, the implants can become unstable and may even cause severe oral health issues. We will perform a bone graft to ensure you have adequate bone levels in all areas of the jaw. This is an outpatient procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia and recovery times vary by patient. We will do everything possible to ensure your visit is as comfortable as possible. We offer sedation dentistry to patients who may be especially sensitive to pain and discomfort in the dentist’s chair. In addition, we will provide instructions to ensure optimal healing and recovery after surgery.
Getting a Bone Graft
In some cases, damaged teeth and tissues may need to be removed before we can place new bone in the problem area. If this is the case, we may use one of several grafting techniques to rebuild areas of the jaw with significant bone loss. The graft can be taken from the patient or by using grafting materials. Once the bone is integrated into the tissue, the healing process can take several months before the site is ready for dental implants or other tooth restoration procedures.
3 Main Benefits of Dental Bone Grafts
Saving Teeth
If you have suffered from severe gum disease and it has lead to bone loss, teeth may become loose. Getting a bone graft can help to regenerate the surrounding bone and help save your teeth.
Tooth Extractions
When tooth extractions are needed, it is not uncommon for your dentist to deposit grafting material into your socket. Doing this helps to ensure that the underlying bone is supported in the event that the patient should choose to replace that missing tooth with a dental implant.
Dental Implant
Since dental implants require good bone bone density and volume, dentist will often use bone grafts to help regenerate enough bone to make sure the dental implant is fully supported.