Bone grafting is a minor dental surgical procedure to replace and regenerate lost bone through the transplantation of bone tissue. Many patients choose to get dental implants in order to restore a missing tooth or to serve as the foundation for dental bridges or dentures. However, in order to have a successful dental implant, enough jaw bone is needed to support the implant and allow it to fuse into the bone.
When this bone is lacking, bone grafting is performed to create a new jaw space where an implant can be placed.
What Causes Bone Loss?
There are several things that can lead to loss of jaw bone. If you have missing teeth, the bone around the missing tooth, which is called alveolar bone, may begin to atrophy or shrink. Chronic gum disease or infection can also cause the alveolar bone to decay, leading to loss of jaw bone.
Medical conditions like osteoporosis in an aging person may also lead to loss of jaw bone, as can trauma or injury to the jaw. Even dentures have been linked with jaw bone loss due to wear and tear from the appliance onto the surrounding tissues.
How Bone Grafting Can Help
Bone grafting can help a number of dental problems. For example, if gum disease is causing the jaw bone to deteriorate, this can, in turn, cause the nearby teeth to loosen and possibly be lost. Bone grafting can cause regeneration of surrounding bone, providing enough support to keep the loose tooth in place.
Bone grafting can also be done after a tooth extraction to increase bone mass in preparation for later placement of a dental implant. An effective dental implant requires enough bone in the area to be used so that the implant can fuse with the bone successfully and remain firmly in place.
The Bone Graft Procedure
In general, only a local anesthetic is required for the bone graft procedure. An incision is then made into the gum, and then some grafting material is inserted into the area within. This is usually a bone material that comes from a human donor. The grafting material causes new bone cells to form, and then after several months, the bone area is healed and is ready for an implant.
You’ll be given antibiotics and pain medication for the post-graft period, as well as complete instructions for care when you get home.
Call to Schedule an Appointment With a California Bone Grafting Dentist Today
If you have loose teeth or are considering a dental implant, call to schedule an appointment with a Corbin Gentle Dental. Professional dental staff will examine your teeth and gums and help you decide what options will work best for you.
We are a dental office in Woodland Hills near Tarzana. To schedule an appointment to learn more about dental implants, call us at 818-758-1805 today.