Do They Bone Graft for Teeth?
After a tooth or multiple teeth are lost, the underlying bone will begin to decay over time. If this bone decays too much, it will no longer have the necessary density to support a dental implant. Fortunately, this density can be reclaimed by performing a dental bone graft procedure. During this procedure, your periodontist will make an incision in your gums in order to access your jawbone. Next, they will place the grafting material into the area where jawbone loss has occurred and sew your gums shut. Over the next few months, this graft will cause new bone to regenerate.
There are several different types of bone graft types, which are detailed in the following section. If you are missing a tooth or teeth and considering dental implants, schedule an appointment with your periodontist. During this evaluation, they will take diagnostic exams to determine the current health of your jawbone and determine whether a bone graft is necessary or if an implant can be placed immediately.
Types of Dental Bone Grafting
Your dental bone graft may be made of a variety of different materials. Traditionally, bone grafts have either been harvested from a patient’s hip or the back of their jawbone or harvested from a cadaver. The second most common type of bone graft is graft material taken from an animal, most typically a cow. Thanks to technological advancements, your bone graft may also be made of synthetic materials.
In addition to there being a variety of bone graft material types, there are also several different methods for performing the bone graft procedure. Your periodontist may select any of the following procedural approaches depending on the nature of your case, such as how much damage has occurred and the location of your missing tooth:
* Socket graft: Using either human tissue or synthetic material, this is the most common type of graft performed. Your periodontist will place the graft directly into the socket, which will prevent socket collapse and regenerate new bone over a period of four to six months on average.
* Block bone graft: Performed for patients who have significant jawbone defects, this procedure involves taking the graft from a small block bone then placing and securing the graft using screws made out of titanium.
* Later ridge preservation graft: This procedure is most typically performed to increase the width of the patient’s jawbone in order to ensure success of the dental implant.
* Sinus lift: Some patients may require a sinus lift procedure prior to placement of their bone graft. During this procedure, your periodontist lifts your sinus membrane in order to create enough space to place the graft.
During your initial evaluation, your periodontist will thoroughly evaluate your overall oral health and review your medical and oral health history in order to determine the underlying reason why a bone graft is necessary, whether you are a viable candidate for a dental bone graft, and if so, which dental bone graft is best suited to your needs. If you have any questions or concerns about this procedure or would like to know more about why your periodontist recommends pursuing a particular type of dental bone graft, ask them these questions during your appointment.