Dental bone grafting is a treatment used to shape, restore, repair or strengthen the bones that support our teeth. It is used to add bone mass to a jawbone that is malformed, worn out, weakened or injured.
Just by listing some uses of dental bone grafting, we can already visualize situations where a dentist, periodontist or oral/maxillofacial surgeon would recommend a bone graft.
bone grafting is the addition of new bone to an existing section of bone. The grafted bone is meant to stimulate the growth and regeneration of the original bone. A dental bone graft procedure requires oral surgery and it can be performed by a periodontist, an oral surgeon or a maxillofacial surgeon.
The graft can be sourced from:
So, what kinds of situations would cause a dentist to recommend a bone graft as a treatment plan?
Some patients need treatment for a malformed jaw. Congenital conditions like these often need treatment that is a combination of corrective surgery and orthodontic devices.
Corrective jaw surgeries that involve bone grafts are often done by maxillofacial surgeons. These specialists are trained in the treatment of the mouth. They treat jaw deformities with an aim to restore full function to the mouth and improve the appearance of the face.
Trauma to the face and mouth can result in a badly broken jaw. A patient with severe damage to the jawbones and teeth could need bone graft surgery to repair the jaw.
Advanced gum disease attacks the gums and eats away at the jawbone. The result is a weakened jaw that can no longer hold the teeth in place.
A periodontist will treat a patient by removing the dead, diseased tissue in the gums and jaw. They will proceed to do a gum graft and sometimes a bone graft. Both grafts are meant to stimulate the regrowth and replacement of the tissue lost to gum disease.
After the bone graft has integrated with the jaw, the periodontist may choose to replace the teeth lost to gum disease with dental implants.
Not every person who gets dental implant surgery needs a bone graft to prepare their jaw. A person who has enough bone mass to anchor the implant will simply have the dental implant fitted. Some people can even get the abutment and the crown attached to the implant, all on the same day.
But if an otherwise healthy person's jaw is too weak, worn out or damaged to hold an implant in place, they will need a bone graft. It will be the first procedure in the process of getting dental implants.
After the bone graft, they will wait for the graft to integrate with their jaw. When the healing is done, then they will have the dental implant procedure. The wait between the bone graft and the placement of the implants can take anywhere from six weeks to a few months. It all depends on the size of the bone to be grafted.
A dental bone graft is one of the more involved dental surgeries there is. A person that undergoes this surgery should be healthy enough to heal quickly. Unless it is unavoidable, the following groups of people should not consider the surgery:
A dentist or oral surgeon will always take a full medical history of a prospective patient. They will use the information to determine if the patient is a good candidate for the surgery.
If a patient does not fall in any of the categories listed, then chances are that they will be greenlit for bone graft surgery.
A dentist will evaluate you in order to come up with the best plan to treat your dental problem. They will create a treatment plan that accommodates all your dental and medical needs. If a dentist finds an approach that is just as effective but more conservative than bone graft surgery, then they will choose that instead. If they find that bone grafting is the best option, then they will go with a bone graft.
Our practice has skilled dentists and oral surgeons who can restore your smile. Visit or call us to find out how we can help you.
Request an appointment here: https://www.titandentalcare.com or call Titan Dental Care at (703) 745-3227 for an appointment in our Sterling office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
A dental crown usually lasts for many years. But it can become loose or fall out before it is supposed to be replaced. If your dental crown becomes dislodged or falls out, it is crucial to know how to handle the situation. Read on to find out what to do if your crown falls out.A…
Dental implants are one of the most effective and innovative methods of tooth replacement. Dental implants can experience their own problems such as failure, but it is quite unlikely. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent implant failure. Although dental implants rarely fail, it is possible. Being aware of how dental implants fail may help one…
Getting a dental filling is a helpful treatment method. It can restore the tooth’s optimal health. The right dental filling can seal the cavity and prevent the infection from advancing. If you want to know the steps involved in a dental filling procedure, here are the details.The dentist will perform a visual inspection of the…
Dental visits are an important component of a comprehensive oral health care routine. Whether your upcoming family dentist appointment is for a regular cleaning and checkup or a more involved procedure, there are a handful of things you can do in advance to prepare. The most important thing you can do for your dental appointment is…
A dental crown usually lasts for many years. But it can become loose or fall out before it is supposed to be replaced. If your dental crown becomes dislodged or falls out, it is crucial to know how to handle the situation. Read on to find out what to do if your crown falls out.A…
Dental implants are one of the most effective and innovative methods of tooth replacement. Dental implants can experience their own problems such as failure, but it is quite unlikely. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent implant failure. Although dental implants rarely fail, it is possible. Being aware of how dental implants fail may help one…