A dental bone graft is a surgical procedure that is performed to repair or bulk up bone tissues in the mouth. Why might a person need to bulk up the bone tissue in their mouth? Dental prosthetics such as implants need to be anchored down in bone tissue. Not having enough bone tissue to hold these prosthetics in place often disqualifies a person from getting them.
A person's jawbone density also affects their facial appearance. Diminished bone tissue often leads to the formation of wrinkles and a sunken look.
Why a dental bone graft might be needed
When a person loses a tooth, the bone structures that supported the tooth begin to disintegrate. This is due to the bone tissue no longer being stimulated by the tooth. It is similar to the way muscles begin to disintegrate when they are no longer being used.
This loss of bone tissue leads to the person's facial structures sagging and shifting. It can also lead to other issues, such as the inability to chew properly, mouth pain or the inability to speak clearly.
Bone grafts can be used to build up the bone structures of those who have already lost a considerable amount of bone tissue. Doing so can improve the person's appearance, and it may also make them eligible for prosthetics such as implants, which can be used to replace the person's missing teeth and to preserve their bone structures.
What goes on during a dental bone graft?
Here is what patients should expect when getting a bone graft:
The process typically starts with the dentist discussing the patient's medical history. An examination will also be performed to determine the patient's jawbone density. Diagnostic tests such as X-rays might be used for this purpose.
The dentist will then explain the different types of bone grafts to the patient. The procedure can be done using bone tissues from other parts of the patient's body, animal bone tissues and synthetic bone tissues. The choice the dentist makes typically depends on the patient's health and how much bone tissue is needed.
The first part of the procedure consists of extracting healthy bone tissue from the patient's body or preparing external sources of tissue. If the tissue is being removed from the patient's body, an anesthetic will be used.
Bone tissue is then added to the areas that are deficient. They are then given time to properly fuse with surrounding bone tissue. This process can take up to three months. The patient will need to wait for the area to heal before getting any other treatments. Once the bone tissue is fused, the patient becomes eligible for oral prosthetics such as implants and implant-supported dentures.
Need a dental bone graft?
Stop by our New York clinic for an evaluation today. We will help you select the right type of bone grafts and walk you through the entire procedure.
Here's how you reach us…
Request an appointment here: https://www.newyorkdentaloffice.com or call New York Dental Office at (212) 548-3261 for an appointment in our New York office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
For healthy teeth and gums, routine dental care is necessary. For most healthy people, two times a year is the recommended frequency for dentist appointments. This is typically adequate for deeper cleaning and preventive care. However, for some patients, more frequent appointments are necessary to manage certain issues and to prevent problems from becoming more…
Maintaining routine dental care is important for oral and overall health, but many patients have questions about what it consists of beyond daily brushing and flossing. The right answers can help patients of any age understand the importance of providing optimum care for their teeth and the possible issues if they fail to follow through.…
Implant supported dentures combine traditional dentures with permanent dental implants to provide a stable and secure tooth restoration option. Unlike traditional removable dentures, this option is supported by two or more dental implants rather than your gum tissues. The additional stability of dental implants may make it simpler to bite and chew meals, particularly with…
Daily oral hygiene habits should not be considered a substitute for the routine dental care that occurs during a dental checkup and cleaning. There are oral health concerns that a dentist will be able to proactively address during an office visit, but the equipment and tools used to care for both teeth and gums are…