Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

Most dentists agree that dental implants are the preferred method for tooth replacement. However, not all patients have ideal jawbone or tissue condition for the dental implant process.But because doctors like to see good bone density and tissue quality in a patient prior to implantation of the replacement tooth, supplemental procedures are sometimes required. Bone grafting is one such procedure and it assists in making the jawbone sufficiently dense to ensure a successful dental implant treatment. Bone grafting was initally developed to reestablish lost jawbone that occured as a result of dental infection of abscess, periodontal disease, or trauma. Gum tissues can also be transplanted to make the mouth and gum area better suited for dental implants.

What Does Bone Grafting Do?

Bone grafting is a simple outpatient surgical procedure where bone tissue is taken from an external source and placed onto the part of the bone where the jaw is deficient. Your own bone tissue (from another area in your body, usually the chin or another part of the jaw) is preferred because there is less chance of the tissue being rejected by your body. Sometimes adequate or high quality natural tissue isn’t always available. In these instances, tissue can be obtained from a bone bank or a synthetic source like hydroxyapatite or another biocompatible material.

What Happens During A Bone Grafting Procedure?

The surgery itself is relatively common and usually happens in your dentist’s office. You will usually be given local anesthesia to prevent discomfort before a small incision is made in the skin above the area that needs reinforcement. Dr. Mortensen will then place the donated tissue over the area that needs reinforcement. The area is then sutured and bandaged and the patient is sent home to heal. This could take up to three months, after which the patient will be re-evaluated for dental implants.

Is Bone Grafting Something I Need?

Eating and speaking on a daily basis is essential to healthy development of muscle and bone density in your jaw. If you are missing one or more teeth, eating can become challenging and jaw function can become limited over time. If left untreated, both muscle and bone density can be significantly impacted. The result is a sunken facial appearance and premature wrinkles around the mouth. Fortunately, dental implants afford an excellent way to fix many of these problems. And once missing teeth are fixed with implants, jaw strength and bite stability will be restored. Ultimately, only a doctor can determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants and if you need bone grafting.