If you are receiving dental implants, your dentist might recommend bone grafting during your consultation. It may sound a bit intimidating, but bone grafting is not unusual for those pursuing dental implant surgery, and it’s painless as well!
Who Needs Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is typically required when a patient lacks a sufficient amount of natural bone to support dental implants. In order for dental implants to work, the implant must be sealed into the bone to stabilize the new replacement tooth. Deficiency in healthy bones can be caused by various factors including gum disease, trauma to the face, or loss of teeth. The bone structure below our teeth is quite delicate and needs constant stimulation. So for example, if teeth are removed and the empty space is not filled with a replacement to stimulate the area, the bone can often disintegrate.
So, What Is It?
This procedure transplants healthy bone tissue to recreate the necessary bone and tissue to support new teeth. There are various types of bone grafts like a socket graft or a block bone graft. A socket graft is the most common procedure, and it requires embedding new bone into the socket of where the tooth was removed. Block bone graft is often recommended when there is extensive bone loss due to injury. Bone material is taken from part of the jaw and screwed into the lacking area, where the new bone should integrate with the surrounding tissue.
How Does It Work?
Once anesthesia is given, the dentist will disinfect the targeted area and make an access point in the gum tissue. Then the dentist will take the bone material sourced from the jaw or use other bone grafting material and place it into your jawbone. It will take several months for the jawbone to heal and regenerate before the dental implants can be inserted. You may experience minor swelling and bleeding. However, if you find yourself in an incredible amount of pain, it may mean that your body is rejecting the bone graft, so be sure to check-in with your dentist if such is the case.
At River Vista Dentistry, we offer services like dental implant surgery and others. If you have further questions about bone grafting or would like to learn more about our practice give us a call or consider a virtual consultation!