A bone grafting procedure involves the restoration of lost jawbone, which is necessary before dental implant placement if the patient does not have enough healthy jawbone to support the implant long-term. This review discusses dental bone grafting for the purpose of restoring lost jawbone ahead of dental implant placement.
Not every dental implants patient requires bone grafting before the placement of dental implants. During a consultation visit with a licensed dental professional that offers implant treatment, they can assess the condition of your jawbone health through the use of dental x-rays to determine if a bone graft procedure is necessary.
A bone grafting procedure, specifically a dental bone graft used ahead of a scheduled dental implant placement procedure, involves grafting bone material to the area above or below a missing tooth (or missing teeth) to ensure there is enough healthy bone to adequately support the implant(s). The procedure is considered to be a form of minor surgery, but complications are rare and the procedure is considered safe with minimal risks.
Determining whether or not a bone graft procedure is necessary typically requires a professional evaluation of dental X-rays by a licensed dentist. In general, a bone graft is necessary before dental implant placement if a fair amount of jawbone has been lost either due to a more progressive form of periodontal disease (periodontitis) or atrophy that occurs after teeth loss. Not all dental implant patients require a bone graft procedure. Specifically, patients that have retained the majority of their natural jawbone after the loss of teeth are able to forego a bone graft procedure and proceed with the placement of dental implants.
As discussed, dental implants are permanently fixed inside of the jawbone, and each implant must go through a process that is known as osseointegration, in which the jawbone and implant fuse together. To ensure osseointegration and limit the risk of early implant failure, there must be an adequate level of healthy bone tissue inside of the jaw. A bone graft procedure helps ensure a long-term and stable positioning of the dental implants inside of the jaw.
Bone grafting is also safe and minimally invasive for patients. Although it is a form of oral surgery, the dental and surgical team can help ensure you have a good experience before and after the procedure. Due to effective and safe sedative options, patients do not feel anything in most cases during the procedure.
For a dental bone grafting procedure specifically, a piece of bone from another part of the patient’s jaw is taken and transplanted into the area it is needed (above or below one or more missing teeth). This type of bone graft is known as an autograft.
There are other ways of obtaining bone graft material that the dental professional may recommend as well. In some cases, particularly if the patient does not have enough healthy bone tissue in the chin or hard palate, then the donor tissue may be taken from the hip or shin.
Another type of bone graft is an allograft, which is donor bone tissue from another person. A xenograft may be available as well, which involves using donor tissue from an animal. All options are effective and safe.
The patient must take good care of their oral health after a bone graft procedure to avoid any setbacks in the recovery process. The length of recovery varies. The initial side effects (pain, inflammation, etc.) should go away within a month, but it typically takes at least three months for the jawbone to completely heal. After healing takes place, the dental implant placement procedure can be scheduled.
The best way to get started with dental implants is to schedule a visit with our dental team. We have experience assisting patients throughout the dental implant process, from determining if bone grafting is necessary during a consultation visit to ensuring our patients love their new smile long-term after the attachment of their permanent teeth replacement restoration. During your first visit, we can help you put together a treatment plan that is complementary to your treatment goals, preferences, and schedule.
Request an appointment here: https://www.johnscreekteeth.com or call Johns Creek Dentistry at (770) 623-1427 for an appointment in our Johns Creek office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Implants in Johns Creek, GA.
Spending money on dental implants is not extravagance or luxury. It is a practical decision. These restorations offer artificial roots to stimulate the jawbone. This prevents jawbone loss. Implants do more for you to smile about. If you want to know why you should smile endlessly with dental implants, here are the details.This has always…
Dental implants enable you to get as close as you can get to replacing your natural teeth roots, both in terms of function and health benefits. Dental implants require regular care like your natural teeth, which is the only way to ensure that your implant-supported teeth can last a lifetime. Read on to learn about…
Dental implants are a popular choice for patients wanting to replace missing teeth. Formerly, partial dentures and dental bridges were the go-to treatments. However, implants have many advantages. They are more stable than removable dentures and typically last longer than bridges. Using this prosthesis, a dentist can replace a single missing tooth without disturbing any…
Dental implants are easy to care for at home and with regular visits with your general dentist. You can ensure your dental implants last for as long as possible by understanding useful tips for caring for your new teeth and periodontal health at home through good oral care and smart dietary and lifestyle choices. Dental implants…
Dental bonding is a great way to address oral health and cosmetic issues like damaged enamel and chipped or cracked teeth. Read on to learn more about dental bonding. Dental bonding is minimally invasive and considered safe for patients.Every patient should evaluate all available types of restorative dentistry to address their specific oral health concerns…
Dental bonding can address cosmetic and structural issues that affect teeth. The treatment involves applying a composite resin to the patient’s teeth and shaping the composite as needed. The composite blends in with the rest of the person’s teeth, which ensures that any repairs performed look natural.The process of dental bonding does not cause any…