If your jawbone structure is not robust enough to support dental implants, you may require bone grafting. It's important to understand what bone grafting is and how it is an important part of having dental implants. Let's take a closer look at bone grafting and when you may need them for dental implants.
If you are missing any teeth or need to have some extracted, you can replace them with dental implants. These are fake teeth that will be screwed into your jawbone to replace the missing teeth. You may want to get implants for cosmetic and self-confidence issues, particularly if you’re missing prominent teeth. However, dental implants can also raise the quality of your life by allowing you to chew, eat, and undergo daily activities that you previously struggled with.
There are also various reasons why you might need to get your teeth pulled. Excessive tooth decay, gum disease, or shattered teeth might cause irreparable damage that can only be remedied by the actual removal of the affected tooth.
Sometimes people may have an insufficient amount of bone to support the implants. This is more often the case when teeth have been missing for a long time. To fix this, dentists can add bone to your jawbone through a procedure called bone grafting. There are a couple of specific kinds. Your dentist can add bone immediately after a tooth is removed. This process is called socket preservation. Tooth extraction can cause additional bone loss, which is meant to prevent that. This is also more commonly used when the surrounding bone is weak.Another kind is called sinus augmentation when a bone is added to your upper jaw to strengthen it in preparation for implants. Regardless of the kind, it will take many months for the bones to merge to the point where they can support dental implants.
To determine that this is the proper option for you, your dentist will take 3D images of your mouth and examine your bone structure. If your existing structure is insufficient for implants, the additional bone must be added to yours.
The surgery itself is a low-risk procedure. The dentist will cut into your gums, cut a hole in your jawbone, fill it with the bone graft, and seal the incision. During the procedure, you will be under the influence of anesthesia to ensure that you don’t feel any of the process. If you donate bone from a different part of your body to your jaw, that might be included in this process, and your dentist will first harvest a small piece from a predetermined area.
Risks include infection, excessive bleeding, nerve damage, and unsuccessful grafts. However, it is important to note that these are uncommon outcomes and the procedure itself is very safe.
Aftercare
After the surgery, you should expect to be on pain medication and possibly other medications such as antibiotics. You will need to follow a special diet prescribed by the dentist and use a splint. As with all surgeries, it is important to rest to let your body heal. Your first follow-up appointment will be about a week after the procedure.
Bone grafting can be a complex dental treatment. Reach out to your dentist to learn more about if bone grafting is a solution for you and what you can expect throughout the process. The more you know, the less likely you'll be surprised by any step along the way.
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