Will I Need a Bone Graft for Dental Implants Palmer, AK

When Bone Grafting Is Necessary

A dentist typically uses a thorough oral examination and X-rays to determine if a bone grafting procedure is necessary for dental implants. The jawbone commonly loses density as a result of unreplaced missing teeth. Bone is preserved by the pressure and stimulus caused by chewing, but when no tooth is present, the jawbone is no longer stimulated and starts to deteriorate. It is important to correct bone deterioration as it can cause more damaging complications, such as tooth loss. Dentists perform bone grafts using bone from the patient’s body, usually from the back of the jawbone.

Signs That Indicate a Bone Graft Is Necessary

There are two primary signs the dentist may look for when determining if a bone graft is necessary. The first sign is the thickness of the bone inside the jaw. The second sign is how soft or hard the existing bone is. If the bone inside the jaw is thin, then we will likely recommend a bone graft. If the bone is soft, then a minor bone graft might be required to strengthen the bone and provide additional support for the implant. According to Mayo Clinic, periodontitis damages the soft tissue, destroying the bone that supports your teeth, so gum disease is a sign of potential bone loss as well.

How Bone Grafting Works

There are different types of bone grafts, including autograft, allograft, xenograft, and an alloplastic graft. The majority of procedures use real bone, although a synthetic bone material is used for an alloplastic graft. The steps involved depend on the type of bone grafting procedure. It typically involves taking either natural bone or a synthetic bone material and placing it into the jawbone above the missing tooth through a minor surgical procedure. The bone must then heal and fuse with the existing bone in the area, which typically takes two to three months.

Bone grafting is a fairly common procedure. A 2016 study found that nearly half of 800 people with dental implants required a bone graft prior to implantation. A bone graft is beneficial for patients as it provides additional support to the dental implant. Otherwise, the dental implant placement process may have a higher risk of failure. The bone augmentation can improve the appearance, function, and oral health of the patient.

What to Expect After the Procedure

Although patients differ in their condition, oral health status, and recovery, there are various ways to help the jaw heal faster. Bone grafting may result in swelling, bruising, and minor bleeding of the gums after the procedure. To recover as quickly as possible, stick to soft foods and avoid dark beverages or sugary drinks. Along with that, it is essential to practice good oral hygiene through a gentle brushing and flossing routine and using mouthwash.

We encourage patients to look for a qualified oral surgeon or implant specialist as they are most skilled at bone graft procedures. It is important that patients play an active role in their oral health and understand their treatments as well as who is performing them. As your dentist about their experience with bone grafting and how successful their treatments were. It may be a good idea to look at before-and-after testimonials and patient reviews online prior to scheduling a consultation.

Alternative Options

Although bone grafting may be the only procedure available for single-tooth implants, there are a few alternative options for those seeking full arch or full mouth dental implants. These options include a full arch prosthesis or a zygomatic prosthesis.

Full arch prostheses are fastened to the jaw using 4 to 6 implants that provide adequate security. For this procedure to work, the patient must have 4 to 6 areas of sufficient bone to effectively place the implant arch. Zygomatic prostheses are long implants embedded in the zygoma, or cheekbone, as opposed to the jawbone. Since the implant is not attached to the jaw, a bone graft is not necessary even for patients with low bone density. A review of 2,402 Zygomatic implants showed a success rate of 96.7% over a 12-year period. Zygomatic implants are found to be the safest, most effective procedure in oral surgery.