Understanding Bone Grafts for Dental Implants – Insights from Your Bloomfield NJ Dental Clinic

Dr. Dan

October 16, 2023

Cosmetic Dentistry,Interesting,Restorative Dentistry,Teeth

Successful dental implant with bone graft

Dental implants have become the gold standard in tooth replacement, but not everyone is a candidate right away. If you’ve been told you need a bone graft before getting dental implants, it’s important to understand why and what to expect. In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about bone grafts for dental implants.

What is a Bone Graft?

A bone graft is a surgical procedure that involves adding or transplanting bone tissue to an area where there isn’t enough natural bone to support an implant. The new bone tissue can come from your own body (autograft), another human donor (allograft), or synthetic materials (alloplast).

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Why Do I Need a Bone Graft for Dental Implants?

One of the main reasons people need a bone graft before getting dental implants is because they’ve experienced jawbone loss due to missing teeth or gum disease. When teeth are missing, the jawbone that once supported them starts to shrink and weaken over time. This can make it difficult or impossible to place an implant without first building up the jawbone with additional tissue.

Another reason you might need a bone graft is if your existing jawbone isn’t thick enough or strong enough to support an implant on its own. In some cases, this might be due to genetics or other health conditions.

What Happens During the Procedure?

The specifics of your bone graft procedure will depend on several factors, including where the new tissue will come from and how much needs to be added. In general, however, here’s what you can expect:

– You’ll receive anesthesia so that you don’t feel any pain during the surgery.

– Your dentist will make incisions in your gums to expose the bone underneath.

– The new bone tissue will be placed in the area where you need it. If it’s an autograft, this might involve taking a small amount of bone from another part of your body (like your hip or chin) and transplanting it to your jawbone.

– Your dentist will close up the incisions with stitches and give you specific instructions for post-operative care.

What Happens After the Procedure?

After your bone graft surgery, you’ll need to take some time to heal before getting dental implants. This can take several months, depending on how much new tissue was added and how well your body accepts it.

During this time, you’ll need to follow strict oral hygiene practices and avoid putting too much pressure on the graft site. Your dentist may also recommend a special diet or supplements to help support healthy bone growth.

Once your jawbone has fully healed, you’ll be ready for dental implant surgery. From there, the process is similar to getting any other type of implant: Your dentist will place a small titanium post into your jawbone and then attach an abutment and crown on top.

In Conclusion

Bone grafts can seem intimidating at first, but they’re often necessary for successful dental implant placement. By understanding why they’re needed and what’s involved in the procedure, you can feel confident about moving forward with treatment.

If you think you might need a bone graft before getting dental implants or have any other questions about tooth replacement options, don’t hesitate to reach out! Our team of Dentists in Bloomfield NJ are here to help guide you through every step of the process.