Do you have missing teeth near Newton? If so, then your dentist may advise that you consider getting dental implants. Continue reading to learn about bone grafting and the role that it can play in supporting dental implants .
Bone Grafting for Dental Implants
An important part of the dental implant procedure is ensuring that the patient is likely to have a successful treatment. To do this, your dentist will perform an examination of your missing teeth and gums. Also, he will take X-rays of your jaw to determine how large and how dense the bones are. The condition of your jaw matters because the dental implant is placed directly in the jaw and must successfully integrate with the tissue. If this step fails, or if your jawbone isn’t strong enough to hold the implant in place, then the procedure will fail. If your dentist determines that your jaw may not be able to hold the implant, but that you may still be a good candidate for the treatment, then he may tell you to consider a bone grafting procedure.
Bone Grafting Types and Materials
Sometimes referred to as bone augmentation, bone grafting is a treatment that involves grafting bone or a bonelike material to the jaw to supplement its size. The graft used on the jaw can be made from the processed bone of a cadaver or bovine bone, or it can be taken from another area of the patient’s body. Processed graft materials either cause the cells around the graft site to convert into bone cells or are designed to fuse with the existing bone. When the graft is taken from the patient, this can involve grafting a block of bone and leaving it to fuse with the jaw or transplanting bone cells into the area.
Bone Grafting Results and Healing
Following the grafting procedure, patients are given pain medication, antibiotics, and antibacterial mouthwash, and they are asked to avoid certain foods and activities. After this surgery, it often takes as long as 6 to 9 months for the jaw to be healed and ready for dental implants.
