Bone
Grafting
Bone Grafting for Dental Implants
What to Expect
When is Bone Grafting Needed?
When a person loses a tooth due to any reason, a Dental Implant is the safest, and long-term solution for its replacement. Bone grafting is sometimes a necessary part of the process when it comes to placing a Dental Implant. Bone Grafting is also useful in maintaining bone structure after a tooth has been extracted. Mostly Bone Grafting is done to restore your bone to its previous shape following tooth loss or trauma. Dental Implant placement requires that the bone be in good healthy position for optimal results and better osseo-integration of Dental Implants. Also, the jaw and other facial bones support the skin and muscle which is responsible for the outward cosmetic appearance of one's face. Without the support of the Jawbone, our faces can look more aged.
What happens in Bone Grafting?
So what exactly happens in Bone Graft surgery? Usually the grafting process involves removing a part of bone from another part of the patient’s body part or jaw (allograft) and placing it into the empty socket of jawbone. Other options today include obtaining bone from an animal source, or an artificially generated bone for the grafting. After this process, it can take several months for the transplanted bone graft to grow new bone & support the dental implant.
Once the jawbone heals, the Dental Implant process moves forward. This starts with placing of the Dental Implant into the jawbone surgically. This stage also can take up few months to heal.
Once healing is complete, the dental surgeon will place the abutment, an extension of the implant’s metal post, into the jaw. Again, time is required for the healing of soft tissue. After the healing of soft tissue, models of the Jaw are taken, and the procedure of inserting the Dental Implant takes place.
Post operative care
While time-consuming, bone grafts can be an essential and necessary part of any Dental implant process. After surgery, patients may experience typical discomfort, such as gum or skin swelling or bruising and minor bleeding. But these common side effects dissipate quickly. There are also some diet restrictions also, such as only being able to consume soft foods while the mouth heals, following each stage of the bone graft and implant procedure.
Who can perform Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting & Dental implants are extensive surgeries, hence should be performed by an experienced or trained Dental Implant Surgeon. Patients can consider using their family dentist for this procedure. Because of the multi-stage procedures necessary to perform Bone Grafts & Dental Implants, seeking the assistance of a Dental Implant specialist, experienced and skilled in this surgery, is of key importance.
In short, with an experienced & trained surgeon to conduct the process, bone grafting procedures and Dental Implants themselves may be time-consuming, but the result is worth waiting for. Healthy teeth and a smile everyone would be proud to share.