Dec 01, 2020
After the teeth are removed, the gums are left to heal. However, having these spaces for a prolonged time is detrimental to your dental health. The alveolar bone (supports the teeth) starts to dissolve after some time. This causes the dental structure to weaken. Furthermore, these unfilled spaces can cause the surrounding teeth to shift, which further weakens the teeth. Having insufficient bone support can affect your dental structure.
Additionally, it disqualifies you from getting dental implants. Other dental treatments can help replace the teeth. However, if you want a permanent dental solution, implants are a suitable option.
For dental implant surgery to be performed, the dentist may recommend a bone grafting treatment to stimulate new bone growth.
What is a Bone Graft?
Bone graft treatment is a minor dental procedure that uses transplanted bone granules to repair and rebuild lost bone. The dentist puts the granules in the socket of the missing teeth to encourage new bone growth.
Our dentist can use bone granules from different sources like:
- Autograft. The bone granules are obtained from your body parts like the hips, jaw, or leg. Since they are from the body, no sterilization is needed. However, extracting the bone tissue needs another dental surgery.
- Allograft. The dentist may also get the bone tissue from a cadaver. The bone matter is sterilized to remove any bacteria and make it safe for use.
- Xenograft or animals. The bone granules can also come from cows or other animals. They are also sterilized before they are used.
When Is Bone Graft Needed?
Our dentist in Vancouver may recommend a bone reconstruction procedure to address a few problems:
- The presence of periodontitis, which causes the bone to deteriorate
- Tooth extraction. Studies suggest that 25 percent of bone loss is experienced within the first year after the teeth are removed.
- Weakened jaw structure because of grinding and clenching of the teeth. Bruxism is also linked to TMJ disorder. The Temporomandibular joint helps us to move the jaw. When it’s bruised, activities like yawning, eating, and speaking become a challenge.
- Dental trauma because of accidents can cause the teeth to crack and further affect your bone support.
How Do We Perform the Bone Graft Procedure?
The bone grafting treatment is done in one visit, and it is a process. The dentist will first examine the gums and teeth to see the severity of the bone loss. Next, we will take you through bone grafting and the different techniques that we use.
Several bone grafting techniques are available that can help to stimulate bone growth. The grafting method used will depend on the location of the missing teeth and the severity of the bone loss.
- Socket graft. This is also known as a minor graft, and it involves placing the bone tissue in the socket.
- Block graft is usually recommended for people who have sufficient bone loss. The dentist uses blocks of bone and fixed them on the jaw bone. The blocks of bone are fixed using titanium screws during the healing period to offer support. It takes around five months for new bone to form.
- A sinus lift. This procedure is done to add bone to the upper jaw between the molars and premolars. The dentist will shift the sinus membrane upwards to make room for bone growth.
What to Expect After Bone Graft Procedure?
After the bone reconstruction procedure, you may experience pain and swelling in the face and gums. You may also have to bruise on the skin.
To speed up the recovery, the dentist will prescribe pain relievers. Additionally, you need to take soft foods and avoid spicy or hard foods.
Is The Bone Graft Procedure Safe?
Yes. We use modern dental technology to make the procedure safe and painless. However, you may experience infection and pain. At times, the bone may fail to grow, and you will need another procedure to address the problem.
Schedule an Appointment
Bone grafting treatment can help stimulate bone growth and increase support for a dental implant. Furthermore, it helps to prevent deterioration of the alveolar bone. Visit M2 Dental for more information about bone grafting.