Bone grafting sounds like a serious and difficult procedure, especially when the area receiving the bone graft is the jaw bone. Still, bone grafting provides many advantages for the patient under certain circumstances, and a skilled periodontist can perform this procedure successfully.
A bone graft is typically used for two main reasons: making dental implants possible and replacing bone tissue that was lost to disease. Dental implants need a solid, stable area of jaw bone that is thick enough to hold the dental implant. If the patient lacks enough bone density, he or she may need a bone graft to strengthen the area of the jaw bone before an implant can be successfully placed. In addition, tooth loss or disease can cause bone to little by little dissolve in the jaw, making it weak. In this situation, bone grafts may be needed to restore bone that has been lost.
Bone grafting involves harvested bone from another area of your body, or sterilized bovine bone, to replace or to strengthen your existing jaw bone. The amount of bone that is grafted may be small, and can be used to fill in pockets of bone that were lost. Otherwise, large portions of bone may be grafted in preparation for dental implants. The periodontist will then place collagen over the site of the bone graft, encouraging the graft to adhere to the bone and start new growth.
The bone grafts typically require a period of four to six months to heal completely. The time period may vary according to how much bone has been grafted as well as how quickly the patient's body accepts the grafts. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, severe bone atrophy, or autoimmune disorders may affect healing time. In addition, lifestyle habits such as smoking or using tobacco can also lengthen the time necessary for the bone graft to heal completely. Once the bone graft has healed, the dentist can place dental implants or perform other required dental work on the site.
If you are considering having a dental implant placed to replace a missing tooth, it is crucial to consult with your dentist or periodontist before you make a decision. Not everyone is a good candidate for a dental implant. In addition, your dentist can explain the process for placing a dental implant, including a description of what will happen if you will need a bone graft before the dental implant is placed.
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