What You Need To Know About A Dental Bone Graft.

How we smile, talk affects our self-esteem, and having issues in the oral region plays a major role. Fortunately, bone augmentation procedures like bone grafting can help restore the density and volume of your jawbone, and a dental implant too can help improve your smile. Such is the power of cosmetic or restoration surgery.

A dental bone graft is a procedure done to increase the amount of bone in a part of the jaw where the bone has been lost or where additional support is needed.

This article talks about why one may need one, the different types, the procedure involved, and the risks.

When May I Be Needing A Bone Graft?

Most of the time, if you have suffered a tooth or teeth loss due to trauma or any other cause, or gum disease like periodontitis, it may cause your bone loss to affect the way your face looks. You may start to have sagging facial features because there’s not enough bone left to support them.

Hence, bone grafting helps to restore your appearance and also ensures that any tooth replacements you get stay in place.

Types Of Dental Bone Grafts.

There are a few different kinds of dental bone graft, some of which are:

Block Bone Graft.

This is a good option if you have a serious bone loss that needs to be addressed, and in this type of bone graft, your dentist will use bone from the back of your jawbone, near your wisdom teeth.

Socket Graft

This type of graft is gotten at the same time as you get a tooth extracted to prevent bone loss usually associated with adult tooth loss.

Sinus Graft.

This bone graft is useful for those who have lost some of the molars on the upper row of teeth. A sinus lift restores the sinus to normal while repairing the gap with a bone graft instead.

Bone Grafting Procedure.

The process involves the removal of a piece of bone from another part of a patient’s jaw or body and then transplanting it into the jawbone. Alternative options today however include obtaining bone samples from a cadaveric source or an animal source to replace the missing bone. These options are also just as successful. It takes a long time for the transplanted piece to heal but once the jawbone does heal, the implant process moves forward, starting with the placement of the titanium dental implant into the jawbone. This second stage also may take up to several months to heal. Finally, once healing is complete, the periodontist will place the abutment, an extension of the implant’s metal post, into the jaw. Again, time must be allowed for the soft tissue to heal. After healing, molds of the teeth and jawbone are taken, and the procedure of inserting the final tooth or teeth can take place.

Is Dental Bone Grafting A Risky Procedure?

No. Bone graft risks are relatively low. Is a dental bone graft painful?. No.

Although it can be time-consuming as well, patients may experience typical discomfort after surgery, such as gum or skin swelling or bruising and minor bleeding, these common side effects dissipate quickly. There are also some diet restrictions, such as only being able to consume soft foods while the mouth heals, following each stage of the bone graft and implant procedure.

Wrapping Up

Dental bone grafts are done to help prevent long-term oral health issues associated with tooth loss and gum disease, and it is also done to provide sufficient bone material to support dental implants. It is a common procedure, which is usually safe and well-tolerated. But when complications develop, see your dentist as soon as possible. Signs of trouble can include: pain that persists or worsens several days after the procedure, redness and increased swelling around the gums, persistent tingling or numbness, or a feeling that the implant is loose.