Implant dentistry involves the replacement of natural teeth after tooth loss occurs using titanium posts (known as dental implants) and the attachment of a restoration, such as a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture. A bone graft is often necessary before an implant dentistry procedure, particularly when there is not enough healthy bone inside the jaw to support the implants.
A bone graft involves grafting bone material inside of the jaw after bone loss occurs to ensure dental implants are adequately supported. This review discusses when a bone graft may be needed before an implant dentistry procedure, the benefits of a bone graft procedure, and more.
The purpose of a bone graft before an implant dentistry procedure is to increase the amount of bone inside of the jaw. Otherwise, the dental implants may not have enough support and can increase the risk of dental implant failure, which complicates the teeth replacement process. Only patients who have experienced bone loss in the jaw require a bone graft procedure for implant dentistry.
A bone graft consists of taking bone from another part of the body (autograft) and grafting it inside of the jaw above or below where the implants will be placed. This is considered oral surgery, so sedation is required. There may also be a recovery period of time, although the risks are minimal and severe side effects are rare.
As mentioned, the purpose of a bone graft is to replenish bone loss in the jaw, which may be necessary due to bone atrophy after the loss of one or more teeth or bone loss caused by periodontal disease. This also helps ensure the dental implants and restoration last for a long time without needing repair or replacement.
A bone graft procedure is required if there is not enough bone inside of the jaw to adequately support full-sized dental implants long-term. As mentioned, this may be necessary due to atrophy or bone loss caused by periodontitis. A dentist can determine whether or not a bone graft procedure is necessary before implant dentistry during the first visit.
The placement of dental implants can be scheduled after a bone graft procedure. The mouth will need to heal after the bone graft, however, so the dentist may wait until the bone graft has been successful to schedule the placement of the dental implants.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Implant Dentist in Gainesville, VA
If you have one or more missing teeth and want to learn more about teeth replacement with implant dentistry, then contact us by phone or message today. During your first visit, we can discuss your treatment goals and put together a treatment plan that helps you achieve the smile of your dreams with implant dentistry.
Request an appointment or call Prince William Dental at 703-662-8287 for an appointment in our Gainesville office.
Implant supported dentures are hybrid restorations that combine dental implants with dentures as a solution for missing teeth. Traditional dentures are the most economical way to replace missing teeth, but these devices are prone to shifting in the mouth. This can lead to sores forming inside the cheeks and the dentures falling out when eating…
Dental bridges can be supported by adjacent natural teeth (traditional fixed bridges) or by dental implants (implant dentistry bridges) on each side of the restoration. It is helpful to understand the differences with each option before making a final decision as to which of the two popular teeth replacement solutions is right for you. Implant…
Many dentists recommend implant dentistry to patients seeking teeth replacement because it is safe and has proven results. Implant dentistry also provides a way to fulfill a range of teeth replacement needs, and you can restore your smile after losing a single tooth, a section, or an entire row of teeth with dental implant restorations.The…
For those looking to improve how their smile looks, choosing the right cosmetic dentist is key. Because cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized dental specialty, any dentist can claim to be a cosmetic dentist. Therefore, finding the right professional for you can be a challenge. Fortunately, knowing what qualities to look for takes much of…
Dentures can be the perfect solution for missing one or multiple teeth. After all, your smile says a lot about you. The first thing a new acquaintance may notice about you is your teeth, and you want that first impression to be a pleasant one. Dentures can help restore your smile, but it's important that…