Sebring, FL
Bone Grafting for Successful Dental Restorations
Bone grafting is often used to assist a dental restoration. A dental restoration such as an implant, will only be successful if the jawbone is an appropriate height, depth and width. When the jaw bone has receded or become damaged an implant will not last or fit securely into the bone. Thus, our expert dentist employs bone grafting procedures to ensure that an implant or dental restoration can be successful.
The main causes of a damaged jawbone are as follows:
- Tooth Extraction – In some instances a patient will have a tooth removed but not a replacement put in its place. This can lead to a number of negative things like shifting teeth and jawbone recession. This bone loss is called bone defect.
- Injury – If a patient suffers a blow to the jaw or a physical injury, the trauma can lead to jaw bone recession.
- Infection – In some situations when a patient has a lingering mouth infection the jawbone may begin to recede.
- Periodontal Disease – This disease affects the jaw bone over time. The infected areas may worsen progressively if not treated promptly causing the teeth to loosen from the bone and become unstable.
Why Get a Bone Graft in Florida?
Our expert dentist is highly skilled at bone grafting and have a very positive success rate. This procedure can prevent the negative effects of diseased teeth or tooth deformities and help patients avoid tooth loss. Bone grafting is known to increase the jawbone height and/or width to repair any jawbone voids or defects.
Here are the two ways bone grafting improves the health and vitality of teeth:
- Stabilizes the Jaw – It is important to stabilize the foundation for restorative or implant surgery so the tooth secures to the jawbone optimally. Our dentist corrects deformities by restructuring the jawbone for better support.
- Preserves the Teeth and Jaw – Often bone grafting will prevent further damage to teeth or the jaw bone following a disease, infection, tooth extraction or other procedure.
The Process of Bone Grafting
First you will receive an oral examination when the dentist will thoroughly examine the affected area of the mouth. This is how they assess the general condition of the teeth and gums before recommending the solution. If they find periodontal disease or notice that the teeth surrounding a missing tooth are in poor condition they address those problems first. Additionally, our dentist will require panoramic x-rays to determine the accurate depth and width of the existing bone. It might be necessary to have a CAT scan as well if the x-rays do not show the accurate dimensions of the jaw bone condition. After looking at all these results the dentist may numb the area to explore into the gum so they can discover what kind and how much bone is required.
What Does Bone Grafting Involve?
There are several types of bone grafts. Our dentist will determine the best type for your particular condition.
Autogenous Bone Graft – Harvested from the patient’s own body (usually from the posterior part of the lower jaw or the chin). This method is usually preferred because it produces the most predictable results.
Allograft Bone Graft – Cadaver or synthetic bone is used in this type of graft.
Xenograft – Cow bone is used in this type of graft.
The bone grafting procedure can often take several months to complete. Bone is typically harvested from your own body (or on rare occasions obtained from a “bone bank”) and added to the affected site. This bone will fuse with the existing bone and the migration of cells will cause firm adhesion and cell growth. Supplementing the jaw with bone will result in greater bone mass to help support and anchor the implant(s).
What to Expect During Bone Grafting Surgery
During the surgery, the dentist will numb the grafting and extraction sites using local anesthetic. A small incision will be made to prepare the site for the new bone and it will be anchored into place. On occasion, a synthetic membrane may be used to cover the new bone. This membrane prevents soft tissue and bacterial invasions, and encourages new bone growth. The surgery does not require an overnight stay, and you will be provided with comprehensive instructions for your post-operative care. The dentist will prescribe medications to help manage infection, discomfort and swelling.
Is it time for you to come in for a dental exam? Why don’t you contact us today so we can help you get the healthy jawbone you need.