Bone Graft FAQs

After the teeth are extracted, they are not replaced immediately as the gum has to heal. However, the spaces in between can cause the alveolar bone to deteriorate causing a significant bone loss. Furthermore, it causes the surrounding teeth to shift to the spaces thereby affecting your dental structure. If you have a severe bone loss, you may not be a candidate for dental implants, and the dentist may recommend a dental bone grafting to promote bone growth. Yes, there are other cosmetic dental treatments you can use to replace your missing teeth, but all are semi-permanent, but dental implants provide a permanent and long-lasting solution.

What is Bone Graft?

A dental bone graft is a surgical procedure done to rebuild your bone density and prepare the jaw for a dental implant. The procedure is done by transplanting bone tissue to promote bone growth.

For the bone graft to be successfully done, the dentist may get the bone granules from different sources. The type of bone matter used will depend on the severity of your bone loss. Some of the options bone tissue sources include:

• Autograft or your body. The bone tissues are extracted from your jaw, hips, chin, or leg.
• Allograft or a cadaver. The bone granules may also be obtained from a cadaver. Don’t worry, the granules are treated to remove any debris and bacteria
• Xenograft or animals. The dentist can obtain bone tissue from animals such as cows, but they are still sterilized and treated to make them safe.

When Is Bone Graft Needed?

Our dentist may recommend dental bone graft for various reasons such as:

• Dental trauma due to grinding and clenching of the teeth. Bruxism can cause fractured or cracked teeth, which further diminishes bone density. Accidents and falls can also cause the teeth to break or crack.
• If you have periodontal disease that causes the bone to deteriorate
• After tooth extraction to keep the bone from diminishing. According to reports, you lose 25% of the bone loss within the first year after extraction, and if left untreated, it can affect your other teeth.

How is the Dental Bone Graft Procedure Done?

During the dental procedure, the dentist will make an incision on the gum and fix the bone granules to the available space to generate new bone.

Several techniques can be used for bone grafting such as:

• Socket graft also referred to as minor graft involves the use of bone granules that are placed on the tooth socket. The socket graft can take up to four months for the bone to regenerate and be ready for an implant.
• A block graft is ideal for patients who have significant bone loss. The grafting is done using blocks of bone placed on the jaw bone. The blocks are shaped depending on your jawbone needs and held in place by titanium screws for four to five months until the bone grows. Sometimes the dentist might use a soft bone substitute when the block graft is not suitable. The substitute is placed on the gum and covered with a membrane to generate new bone.
• A sinus lift can be done if there is the severe bone loss

Is The Bone Graft Procedure Safe?

Bone grafts are safe and with modern dental technology, there is minimal risk. However, the procedure is not devoid of a few mishaps. The most common complications of bone graft include pain, infection, and failure to grow bone, but they can be treated with pain medication and antibiotics.

What to Expect After Bone Graft?

You will have swelling in the face and gums, pain, bleeding gums, and bruising on the skin. You can use prescribed medication to ease the discomfort and prevent infection.

Regardless of the length of the dental implant treatment, you will experience swelling of the gums and face, bruising on the skin, gum bleeding, pain, and discomfort.

Additionally, try to eat soft foods, avoid smoking, and spicy foods to facilitate proper gum healing.

Take The Necessary Steps

Before a dental implant is done, the dentist must evaluate you to see if you are a candidate for the procedure or not. Contact our phoenix dentist or come to our 7Dental clinic for an assessment and discussion of the bone grafting procedure.