Did you ever wonder how your teeth fit so tightly in your mouth? Your teeth rely on their roots and bone to keep them in place. Oral conditions such as periodontal disease, infection, and even tooth extractions can lead to bone loss. Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone and promotes new bone growth. It might sound a little unnerving, but this a fairly common procedure in the oral surgeryworld, and it often accompanies restorations likedental implants.
To Graft or Not to Graft?
Bone grafting can make the appropriate adjustments to the height or width of the jawbone as well as repair any defects. Your dentist will determine if you need a bone graft after examining your mouth and assessing the condition of your gums, teeth, and jaw. Dental x-rays also aid in determining the extent of bone loss.
Scenarios when bone grafting is beneficial:
- Aesthetics& Deformities: Loss of jawbone can cause facial features to sag, leading to a sunken in face, which often ages people beyond their years. In cases where the jaw bone is deformed, bone grafting can reshape the area and provide added support for the teeth.
- Infections & Injuries: A bad oral infection or serious impact to the jaw can surely damage the jawbone, causing it to fracture or recede.
- Periodontal Disease: Severe cases of periodontal (gum) disease can cause permanent damage, leading to tooth and bone loss. Bone grafting is often performed to preserve loose teeth.
- Restorations: Restorative dental procedures such as dental implants and bridges often require bone grafting in order to achieve the best results.
- Tooth Extractions: When a tooth is pulled, it’s common to losebone mass in the area where the tooth once was because the surrounding bone reabsorbs into the jaw if it’s not helping hold a tooth in place.
Let’s Get “Grafty”
Prior to the procedure, the area is numbed with local anesthesia. The dentist makes an incision into the gum to access the bone, and grafting material is added. Once the bone graft is complete, the area is cleaned and stitched up. Below are some grafting materialoptions.
- Allograft Bone Graft: Cadaver or donor bone comes from a “bone bank”. It’s thoroughly sanitized prior to using for dental procedures. Another option is synthetic materials, which replicate real bone.
- Autogenous Bone Graft: Think “homegrown” graft! Harvested from your very own body, this is the most common type of bone graft and the most ideal because it tends to have the best outcomes.
- Xenograft: Cow bone is sometimes used for bone grafting.
Following the procedure, the dentist will provide you with instructions to properly care for your mouth. You will be given prescription medications to avoid infection and minimize pain and swelling.
The bone grafting procedure can take a few months from start to finish. The healing process takes time and must allow for “new” bone to fuse with existing bone, creating new cell growth and a firm attachment.
If you have any questions or concerns about bone grafting, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.