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Why You Might Need a Bone Graft Before Getting Dental Implants

March 2, 2023

Filed under: Uncategorized — dr_neslund @ 6:37 pm
a patient attending their dental implant consultation

Boasting an impressive success rate of over 95%, dental implants have completely changed the game when it comes to tooth replacement. These awesome implants are capable of restoring lost teeth in terms of look, feel, and functionality due to their unique surgical placement. However, some patients might require preliminary work such as a dental bone graft before they’re a suitable candidate for implants. Here’s more about why this procedure is sometimes necessary and how it paves the way for lasting dental implant success.

The Dental Bone Grafting Process

The dental bone grafting process is relatively straightforward; it involves your dentist borrowing bone from one part of your body, often somewhere in the mouth, and using it to fortify existing bone matter elsewhere in the jaw. It can also be sourced from another species such as bovine or made from synthetic bone graft material. By appropriating this healthy bone tissue, your dentist can effectively recreate bone and supporting tissues in areas where it’s missing. This ultimately strengthens the constitution of the jawbone in preparation for receiving implants.

Types of Bone Grafts

There are four major types of bone grafts used in preparation for dental implants. Here’s more about each:

  • Socket preservation – The graft material is placed in the socket immediately following tooth extraction, to prevent the socket from caving in. It should preserve your jawbone until your implants are placed.
  • Ridge augmentation – If you prolong replacing missing teeth, your underlying jawbone can become thinner. Ridge augmentation allows your dentist to increase the volume and width of your jawbone, providing a solid base for your implants.
  • Sinus lift – Sinus lifts are used when patients need implants in their upper jaw, which usually isn’t stable enough to support implants on its own. Your dentist can lift your sinus membrane back to its proper position if it’s shifted due to tooth loss, and then the bone graft can be placed underneath the sinus.
  • Periodontal bone graft – Advanced gum disease can completely obliterate your jawbone, but this procedure can be used to refortify it. Afterward, the area will need to heal before the implant can be placed, which usually takes 3 – 9 months depending on your condition.

The Significance of Dental Bone Grafting

One of the biggest factors contributing to dental implant failure is impeded osseointegration, which is the fusion between the implant posts and the jawbone. Even though the titanium of the implant posts is fully biocompatible, if the jawbone does not have enough density to support them, they won’t be able to remain sturdily in place.

This is why dental bone grafts are instrumental in the dental implant process; they’re able to ensure that a patient’s jawbone can fully support implants that’ll last for several decades.

About the Practice

The team at Carlisle Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is thrilled to provide an exceptional level of care for patients and families in the Carlisle, PA area. They offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment options including dental implants. If you have any questions about the article or would like to arrange a consultation to see if you might benefit from dental implants, don’t hesitate to contact the practice online or over the phone for further assistance: (717) 258-5455.

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