Dental Bone Graft for Implants
After tooth loss, the bone at the site begins to deteriorate. In the past, progressive bone loss in the upper or lower jaw would not only have negative aesthetic consequences, it could limit options for the gold standard of tooth replacement. By undergoing a dental bone graft at Innovative Implant and Oral Surgery, we can restore your candidacy for dental implants, paving the way for the beautiful smile you deserve.
Dental implants look and function just like natural teeth, but in order to maximize your outcome with this proven technology, there needs to be sufficient jawbone to anchor the implant posts. Bone atrophy after tooth loss starts immediately, and as more time passes, tissue shrinkage worsens.
Today’s bone graft procedures play a critical role in making new teeth possible, while protecting the longevity of your dental implants.
Our board-certified Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons employ cutting-edge equipment and bone grafting techniques to ensure a smooth and painless recovery, as patients get ready to enjoy their new dental implants.
Who Needs a Dental Bone Graft?
Patients with inadequate bone structure associated with missing teeth will likely need a bone graft procedure before receiving dental implants. Tooth loss is often attributed to gum disease, but other jawbone deficiencies may result from:
- Facial trauma or injury
- Empty space after tooth extraction
- Congenital defects
- Previous jaw surgery for tumor removal
Tooth Bone Graft Overview
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure used to restore missing bone and induce new bone formation. In the surgery, bone tissue or substitute grafting material is used as scaffolding where healthy jaw bone is lacking. The goal of bone grafting is three-fold:
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- To augment areas of damaged and missing bone.
- To facilitate new bone growth.
- To provide a stable foundation for dental implants.
The bone graft functions as a platform or framework for the adjacent bone to grow on. Over many months, the patient’s own bone will replace the grafting material, which is eventually broken down and reabsorbed by the body. Tooth bone graft procedures are highly successful because the bone has the capacity to regenerate tissue – a process that is stimulated with recombinant or natural growth factors.
Bone rejuvenation through grafting substantially increases bone mass, allowing a secure anchor point for future implants.
What is Bone Graft Material Made Of?
There are various types of bone graft materials and techniques used to prepare patients for dental implants. The type used will hinge largely on the location and extent of bone loss. Our oral surgeons may recommend using tissue harvested from your own bone (known as an autogenous graft), or other sources that have been screened, processed and sterilized.
Whether derived from your own body, a tissue bank, or man-made sources, these dental bone graft materials have been thoroughly researched for safety and efficacy.
Dental Bone Graft Procedures and Recovery
Dental grafting procedures are generally classified as minor or major. Large structural defects are usually addressed with an autogenous graft. The bone may be taken from the patient’s mouth, hip, tibia, cranium or other sites.
A sinus lift and ridge augmentation are two of the most common dental bone graft procedures performed at our Bucks County clinic. Both procedures are used to increase the density and width of the affected jawbone to accommodate a permanent restoration.
The procedure is performed under local anesthetic and/or IV anesthesia and involves no discomfort. The area that received the bone graft may be sore a week after the treatment, but any pain is easily managed with ice packs, pain medication and anti-inflammatories.
Most patients are back to their normal routine relatively quickly, though post-procedure care is important. Avoid touching or brushing near the wound area and follow instructions to avoid unnecessary complications. Swelling and slight stiffness of the jaw is normal and may last for several days. Oral antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent infection. Avoid vigorous activity for at least 2-3 days and maintain good oral hygiene. Most patients do well on a soft diet until the gum tissue has healed.
Integration Time Needed For Dental Implants
Dental bone grafts can take anywhere from 4 to 6 months to fully integrate with your existing jawbone. After osseointegration is complete and bone mass has been increased, we will start preparations for stage two of your smile restoration – dental implant placement.
Though the process may seem extensive, bone grafting allows us to stop accelerated bone loss and improve both aesthetics and functionality with custom-made implants.
Implant-supported replacement teeth are not only built to last a lifetime, they look and feel just like your own teeth. If you lack sufficient healthy bone to support dental implants, Innovative Implant and Oral Surgery is poised to help. Learn more about dental bone grafts for implants in Feasterville, PA. Schedule a private consultation today!
Additional Bone Graft Resources:
- Journal Pharm BioAllied Science, Bone grafts in dentistry https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3722694/
- Mayo Clinic, Dental Implant Surgery https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/dental-implant-surgery/about/pac-20384622