Bone Grafting for Dental Implants
Bone Grafting for Dental Implants in Atlanta, GA
Dental implants need a healthy jawbone to prevent failure. We may recommend bone grafting if you lack sufficient bone for the procedure. Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery performs dental bone grafts in Atlanta, GA. Our dental team will assess your needs and determine what type and amount of bone graft is needed to help achieve your dental goals. Contact us to learn more.
What is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure performed to repair or rebuild bone where it may have weakened or deteriorated. This technique is especially common in dental care to provide a solid foundation for procedures like dental implants. A strong and healthy jawbone is crucial for supporting implants and maintaining overall oral health.
Will I Need Dental Bone Grafting?
After our thorough examination and review of your imaging reports, we will determine if dental bone grafting is necessary for you. Some typical situations that may warrant a bone graft include:
- Absence of a tooth for several months – If a tooth is lost or pulled out and not replaced by an implant or a graft promptly, the jawbone may start to degrade.
- Bone defects due to tooth extraction, trauma or infection – These factors could lead to bone damage or anomalies, which can be rectified through grafting.
- Loss of front teeth – The thin-walled sockets of front teeth may not regenerate independently and thus may require grafting.
- Sinus cavities are largeor low – We can restore the bone height required for dental implant placement with a sinus lift.
Types of Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is an innovative dental treatment that helps patients look and feel their best. The most common types of bone grafting include:
- Sinus Lift – The maxillary sinuses, air-filled cavities above the upper jawbone, can sometimes experience bone loss. A sinus lift is designed to reconstruct the bone in readiness for a dental implant. The technique involves elevating the sinus membrane and inserting a bone-grafting substance beneath it.
- Socket Preservation – After the removal of a tooth, an empty socket ensues. The absence of a tooth to stimulate the jawbone can lead to the socket expanding as the jawbone resorbs from lack of activity. Socket preservation is done by introducing bone grafting substance simultaneously with extraction to preserve the jawbone’s strength for future tooth replacement.
- Ridge Augmentation – Ridge augmentation parallels socket preservation as it involves the restoration of the bone beneath an empty socket. But instead of being carried out alongside extraction like in socket preservation, it’s conducted after bone resorption. The procedure incorporates bone grafting material into the site to support new bone development.
The Bone Grafting Process
The bone grafting process depends on the reason for your surgery. The typical bone grafting procedure includes the following:
- Preparation – The area surrounding your tooth or jawbone will be prepared and cleaned for the procedure.
- Harvesting the Bone or Using Donor Material – The bone material can come from your body, a donated human source, an animal, or man-made materials.
- Placing the Bone Graft – The bone material is carefully placed into the area needing repair or reinforcement.
- Securing the Graft Material – We may use a membrane or special material to cover and secure the graft for protection during the healing process.
- Healing Period – After the procedure, the grafted bone integrates with your existing bone in a process called osseointegration.
- Future Steps – Once healed, we can proceed with additional treatments, such as dental implants.
Pros of Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is an excellent way to boost your jawbone health. Some of the most significant pros of bone grafting include:
- Rebuilds bone needed for a strong and healthy jaw.
- Essential for supporting dental implants in areas of bone loss.
- Helps slow the jawbone from further deterioration.
- Restores facial structure and prevents sagging caused by bone loss.
Cons of Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is not for all patients. Some of the cons of bone grafting include:
- The osseointegration process can take several months, delaying subsequent procedures.
- Bone grafting can add to dental restoration expenses depending on the material used and procedure complexity.
- Like any surgery, there’s a small risk of infection, swelling, or discomfort after the procedure.
- You may need several visits to complete the entire treatment plan.
Contact Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery
Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery will help you through the dental bone graft process. We’re with you every step of the way. We have 25 locations to serve you with oral surgery. Since 1980, we’ve grown to be the largest surgeon-owned oral surgery practice in the U.S. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.