The Dental Bone Grafting Procedure
Not all procedures are alike, but they will all begin with a set of x-rays to identify the condition your jawbone. If you are still starting with an extraction it is very possible that the bone graft could be done in conjunction with that procedure. We can place the graft immediately, secure it, and then suture the opening closed. If it otherwise has been awhile since the tooth was lost the procedure would be to numb the soft tissue by administering a local anesthetic, create a small incision and then placing the grafting material on the jawbone. Once the graft is secured the incision will be sutured closed. This simple procedure takes from 45 to 90 minutes. You will feel some discomfort for a few days that can be treated with an over the counter pain reliever. The initial recovery period is around two weeks, but the graft fusing to the jawbone could take from three to six months. Once x-rays prove you
have a solid bone mass in the jaw, we can proceed with the dental implant procedure if that is our next objective. With another incision we will place a titanium post into the jawbone. This post must also fuse to the bone and then we can complete the process of placing a ceramic crown on that post giving you a terrific replacement tooth.
The bone grafting recovery time is minimal. You will want to exercise common sense initially with regards to sticking with a soft diet. You need to be conscious of those sutures in your mouth giving them a chance to heal properly. Depending on the graft itself we may have to monitor your physical activity too.
The only risks involved with this surgical procedure would be bleeding, infection and your reaction to an anesthetic. The graft itself can occasionally cause pain and swelling. The objective of the reward is worth the minimal potential risk involved.
What is the Source of the Dental Bone Graft?
The bone grafting material can come from one of four sources.
- An Autograft-Yes, this source is yourself. A piece of bone can be taken from another site on your body such as your hip.
- An Allograft- this is a piece of bone from a cadaver, or another person. The bone has been cleaned, bleached of any DNA and stored in a tissue bank. A very common source today.
- An Animal
- Synthetic Material
The Benefits of Bone Grafting
Not only does the bone grafting stop the accelerated rate of your bone loss but it also makes it now possible to pursue the best tooth replacement choice available to you, which would be a dental implant. Dental implants have been a reliable replacement option now for three decades. Not only are they the most natural solution in the cosmetic dental realm but they are the most natural physically as well. Your jaw will remain healthy with the force again from biting and chewing, you will have pressure sensations and even be treated to temperature swings just like a natural tooth. The abatement of the bone loss will help us maintain your natural facial structure as well. Bone, soft tissue and muscles are all affected.