Missing teeth is more than just a cosmetic concern, but also a condition that can lead to bone loss and functional problems in the long term. One of the most popular and recommended treatments for missing teeth, dental implants, requires adequate bone structure to be effective. Bone grafting is a surgical technique that is designed to rebuild the jawbone. While this sounds pretty scary at first, the truth is that bone grafting in the oral cavity today is a routine, predictable and painless procedure. Most patients proceed with everyday life and work often by the next day and continue throughout the months in between dentist appointments.
Patients who lack adequate bone structure for implants can utilize bone grafts to reconstruct the jaw. Bone grafts can come from many places, including the patient’s body, a donor, or an animal, depending on the needs and preferences of the individual.
In addition, some patients may also need soft tissue grafts, in the event other oral structures are damaged or deficient. It is very important that patients considering dental implants undergo evaluation by an experienced dentist with extensive training in bone grafting, soft tissue grafting, and implantation.
The bone grafting procedure typically can be completed within a few hours, and patients will need to wait until the bone fully heals before having dental implants placed, usually six months later, to ensure the result will be as long-lasting as possible. The best part is that once the missing teeth have been replaced with dental implants, bone loss in the treated area should no longer occur.
If you have any questions, please contact us and schedule an initial consultation with our team of Dental Implant experts.