The dental implant is one of the most versatile and effective tooth replacement options. It offers unmatched strength and durability and can even replace several teeth at once with an implant-supported bridge or denture. However, not everyone is a viable candidate for a dental implant due to a lack of bone mass.
Fortunately, there is a solution to this issue: the bone graft procedure. This treatment can help you achieve the bone mass you need to support a dental implant. But what exactly is a bone graft procedure, and what role does it play in restoring your smile?
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a tooth replacement procedure that involves the fusion of a titanium or zirconia screw to the jawbone. The fusion process is known as “osseointegration,” and it provides a level of bite strength and durability that virtually no other tooth replacement option can match.
Once the implant is fused to the jawbone, an abutment is connected to it, which is then connected to a prosthetic that looks and feels just like a natural tooth. When several teeth are missing, just a few dental implants can be used to support a fixed bridge or denture that can easily restore your smile.
Missing Teeth and Bone Loss
Dental implants require a certain amount of bone mass to be successful, which can become an issue in certain cases. This is because missing teeth can lead to bone loss, as the roots of our natural teeth stimulate bone growth in the jaw. When a tooth is lost, the stimulation is no longer there, and the jawbone can degrade.
If your tooth has been missing for a prolonged period, your jawbone may not currently be capable of supporting a dental implant. But that doesn’t mean you can never receive one. You may just require a bone graft procedure first.
What Is a Bone Graft Procedure?
The bone graft procedure is designed to add bone mass to the jaw. It involves grafting bone material — either from another part of the body or from an external source — onto the area where bone loss has occurred.
In time, the grafted bone will become one with the existing bone, and a dental implant can then be placed.
The Bone Graft Procedure
If you think you may require a bone graft procedure to receive your dental implant, you might be curious about exactly how it works. Here’s what you can expect from this procedure.
Initial Consultation
Before scheduling a bone graft procedure, you’ll first need to see your dentist for an initial consultation. During the consultation, your dentist will perform an oral exam, speak with you about your medical history, and possibly take X-rays or other imaging tests to determine whether a bone graft is necessary.
Prior to the Procedure
Upon scheduling your next appointment, your dentist will provide you with instructions to follow before the procedure. These instructions will include how long before the procedure you can eat or drink, what to avoid before the surgery, and what you should wear on the appointment day.
Follow these instructions closely to ensure a safe, easy, and successful procedure.
Day of the Procedure
Before the procedure begins, your dentist will provide a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort throughout the surgery. You can also discuss options for sedation dentistry with your dentist, which can further ensure your comfort.
Once you’re comfortable, your dentist will then access the area where bone loss has occurred through the gums and place the bone graft material, securing it with specially designed screws. They will then suture the incision.
Bone graft material can be acquired from another part of your body or sourced externally from a donor. A synthetic material known as “alloplast” can also be used for a bone graft procedure.
Bone Graft Recovery
After the procedure is complete, your dentist will provide you with post-operative instructions that will help to guide you during your recovery. These instructions will include what to eat, how to keep the surgical site clean, and how to manage any discomfort from the procedure.
Typically, bone graft recovery can take about three to nine months in total. However, you should be feeling back to normal within about 1-2 weeks.
Dental Implants and Bone Grafts in Atlanta
Bone grafts help make the dental implant procedure accessible to many patients. Dr. Brett Langston and the experienced team at Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists specialize in implants and have transformed smiles in Atlanta for over 50 years.
If you’d like to know more about dental implants or the bone graft procedure, contact us today.