Bone Grafting specialist

What is bone grafting?

You can experience bone loss in your jaw from gum disease, tooth decay, or aging. If you need a dental procedure that involves using your jawbone as an anchor, bone grafting provides the bone support you need. Bone grafting can also treat certain types of serious gum disease that result in bone loss that contributes to tooth loss. 

Bone grafts fuse human, animal, or synthetic bone material to the areas of your jaw where you have bone loss. This process is called osseointegration. 

Once you fully heal from a bone graft, your provider can perform other dental procedures with successful outcomes.

Am I a candidate for bone grafting?

If you have bone loss in your jaw, your provider may recommend bone grafting if you:

• Need a tooth extraction
• Need a dental implant
• Plan to get dentures
• Have gum disease

Bone grafting adds structure to your jawbone, usually to prepare you for a dental surgery that requires support from your jawbone.

Where does bone grafting material come from?

The type of bone grafting material depends on your needs and preferences. Your options include:

Autogenous bone

This type involves taking bone from your body and placing it in the lacking area to promote bone growth. 

Allogenic bone

This type of bone comes from a processed cadaver’s body; it’s freeze-dried, so there is no chance of disease transmission.

Xenogenic bone

Your provider can use donor bone, mainly from a cow or pig, working the same way as bone from a cadaver. 

Synthetic bone

Your oral surgeon can use synthetic or human-made bone material. However, synthetic material is rarely recommended due to its low success rate for helping bone regenerate.

What can I expect during a bone grafting procedure?

Your type of bone grafting procedure depends on your oral health and the problem that needs correction. Before the procedure begins, your provider takes 3D X-rays to get a comprehensive view of your mouth and jaw to devise a customized treatment plan for you.

Your provider uses intravenous (IV) or general anesthesia before your bone graft procedure begins. They then create a small incision in your gum to expose your jawbone for cleaning and add the bone grafting material to repair the bone loss. They may also cover the area with a membrane. Your provider repositions your gum tissue and stitches the incision site.

To book a personalized bone grafting consultation at Solomon Family Dentistry, call the nearest office or book online today.