Bone Grafting

Dental implants are substitute tooth roots which are placed in the jaw bone. In order for an implant to be successful, the patient must have sufficient bone tissue to support the implant. If there is not enough bone tissue in the jaw bone, the bone will not be able to support the implant.

Bone grafting involves taking bone tissue from one area of high density and using it to bulk up an area of low density. The bone grafting procedure will be carried out if your dentist has discovered insufficient bone tissue in the jaw.

There are a few types of bone graft. Autograft where this is bone taken from another part of the patients body. Xenografts; Bone taken from animals or Allograft which is bone taken from another human. There is also another type of bone graft where snythetic material can be used to act in place as the bone.

Once the jawbone does heal, the implant process moves forward. This starts with placing the titanium dental implant post into the jawbone. This stage also may take up to several months to heal.

Finally, once healing is complete, periodontist will place the abutment, an extension of the implant’s metal post, into the jaw. Again, time must be allowed for the soft tissue to heal. After healing, molds of the teeth and jawbone are taken, and the procedure of inserting the final tooth or teeth can take place.

POST BONE GRAFT AND IMPLANT PROCEDURE

While time-consuming, bone grafts can be an essential and necessary part of any implant process. After surgery, patients may experience typical discomfort, such as gum or skin swelling or bruising and minor bleeding, but these common side effects dissipate quickly. There are also some diet restrictions, such as only being able to consume soft foods while the mouth heals, following each stage of the bone graft and implant procedure.