When Would a Dentist Recommend a Bone Graft to Get Dental Implants?

You might need to get a bone graft if you are currently considering dental implants. It comes down to if your jaw is thick enough to hold implants in place. Bone tissues in the jaw start to disintegrate when teeth are lost due to not getting the stimulation that they need to remain healthy. Oral issues like periodontal disease can also lead to the breakdown of bone tissues in the jaw.

Dental implants are oral prosthetics that replace missing teeth roots. They are the only dental restorations available that serve this purpose. This is critical because replacing teeth roots gives tissues in the jaw the stimulation that they need to remain healthy.

Figuring out if you need bone grafts for dental implants

Dentists often use X-rays to examine the jawbone tissues of patients who are interested in getting implants. Dentists also go over the patient’s medical history because issues like immune system disorders can hinder recovery following the surgical installation of implants.

People who have recently lost one or more teeth often have the required jawbone dentistry needed for implants. However, those who have lived with missing teeth for a while or opted to replace their missing teeth with dentures or bridges might not have the bone tissue thickness needed.

Fortunately, bone grafts can be used to thicken the jaws of patients who have lost bone tissues in their jaw due to resorption. Such patients will need to be fully recovered from their grafting procedure before continuing with implants. That can take up to three months.

The process

There are multiple ways that dentists go about performing bone grafts, but they all serve the same purpose: building the patient’s jawbone thickness.

The procedure can be performed using donor tissues taken from the patient, animal bone tissues, or synthetic materials. The most popular approach nowadays is using synthetic materials that stimulate the growth of bone tissues in the jaw. A CT scan is typically used to create a detailed image of the patient’s jaw, so the dentist can create a plan to rebuild it.

The patient is injected with a local anesthetic to numb the area being worked on during the procedure. An incision is then made into the patient’s gum tissues so the dentist can reach their jaw. The grafting material is then placed on the areas that need to be built up, and a titanium screw is used to keep it in place. The area is then closed and sutured.

We can rebuild your jaw

Do you need bone grafts to qualify for dental implants? Call or visit our East Orange clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.

Request an appointment here: https://www.qualitygentledentalcare.com or call Roman Khodosh DDS PC at (973) 676-2541 for an appointment in our East Orange office.

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