BONE GRAFTING – WHAT AND WHY DO I NEED IT?
If you are missing a tooth, we may recommend a dental implant to fill up the gap. However, if you have insufficient bone in the jaw, we may have to perform bone grafting to make the implant-based restoration a success. But what is bone grafting? Why do I need it? If you are anxious to find out the answers to these questions, keep reading as Simply Smiles sheds more light on bone grafting.
What is bone grafting?
A bone graft is a surgical procedure that uses a transplanted bone to repair diseased bones. Simply put, healthy bones are harvested from the rest of your body to repair damaged or diseased bone tissues. As the natural bone grows, it fuses with the graft material, forming a newly constructed bone. Here are some areas where your graft material can come from:
- Autografts: This is bone material harvested from your body, particularly from the hip, chin, or shin.
- Allografts: These are bone grafts donated by other humans, usually a cadaver.
- Xenografts: It’s the use of inorganic animal parts, especially cows, to make bone grafts.
Why do you need a dental bone graft?
If you have lost teeth, bone deterioration may start showing up, meaning you need bone grafting to support existing teeth or an upcoming dental restoration. Other events like aging, periodontal disease, trauma, and genetic defects may lead to bone loss, warranting a bone graft. If you also need an implant to replace your missing tooth, your dentist may recommend a bone graft to improve your jawbone.
What should I expect from a bone graft procedure?
Before the bone grafting procedure, you will have to consult with Drs. Kira Gekht and Jade Rivera to ensure you are a perfect candidate. While the bone grafting procedure depends on the purpose of treatment, the typical process involves the below:
- Administering anesthesia to make the process comfortable
- Bone sourcing from the other parts of your body. If need be, tooth extraction may be done at the same time.
- Graft insertion, where an incision is done on the gum line to expose the jawbone. Your dentist then attaches the graft material to the jawbone.
- Stitching your jawbone with pins, wires, cables, and even a biocompatible titanium screw to hold the bone in place. If the graft bones are from your body, your dentist will also stitch the source area.
- You need about four to six months for recovery to take place.
Are you ready to receive a bone graft in Sarasota, FL? Please dial (941) 877-5262 to book an appointment with our team at Simply Smiles. We also serve nearby areas, including Palmer Ranch, Lakewood Ranch, Venice, and Bradenton, FL.