It is common to experience bone loss around the teeth as a result of progressive disease, infection or trauma. However, bone loss can limit our ability to restore your smile using methods like dental implants or implant supported dentures.
We offer bone augmentation and bone grafting procedures to replace lost bone. Bone grafting can also restore the proper facial contours where bone is missing in the font of the mouth.
Bone loss in the jaw bone is common when one or more teeth have been lost due to injury, decay, or trauma. Without the tooth in place to stimulate the jaw bone, the bone around the missing tooth will begin to deteriorate. Over time, the jaw bone may deteriorate to such an extent that there may not be enough bone to place dental implants. In cases such as these, your dentist may recommend having a bone grafting procedure by an experienced doctor. Bone grafting is the replacement or augmentation of missing bone around the teeth and in areas where teeth have been lost. It is often recommended prior to certain treatments, such as a dental implant procedure. There are two types of bone graft procedures: allograft and xenograft. Allografts also use human bone transplanted to the area in the mouth being restored. However, allografts do not use the patient’s own bone. Instead, the bone usually comes from cadaver bone donated to bone banks. All allograft bone material is carefully screened and is considered very safe. Xenografts also replace bone in the area requiring treatment, however the bone comes from a non-human source. Usually the non-human source is bovine, or cow. Allografts and Xenografts are used because they do not require a second surgical site to harvest bone and ample amounts of bone can be easily attained. Xenografts are often preferred when extra bone is needed to proceed with a dental implant procedure.
Local anesthesia is used to numb the area where the bone will be performed. Bone augmentation varies from patient to patient, your dentist will advise you which procedure is best for your particular problem. After the procedure you will likely be given antibiotics as well as pain medication. You will be asked to follow a restricted diet of soft foods such as pastas, mashed potatoes, and applesauce for a short time following your bone grafting procedure. It will often be about six to nine months following the bone graft before your doctor will be able to perform your dental implant procedure. If you are looking to replace missing teeth with a dental implant procedure, a bone graft is sometimes required to provide enough bony support. Call your doctor today to schedule your consultation. Bone augmentation varies from patient to patient, your dentist will advise you which procedure is best for your particular problem.