The jawbone is the part of the face that holds many essential elements together, such as the teeth, ligaments, and muscles; however, bone grafting may sometimes be necessary if the jawbone is too weak to perform these tasks. A person’s jawbone can deteriorate over time, whether due to age, genetics, poor oral health, cancer, or any of a variety of other reasons.
The good news is that bone grafting can restore the jawbone to functional strength and health. While the process cannot be completed in just a day or two, its results are long-lasting and can open the way for other useful treatments.
Bone grafting is the process of bulking up the jawbone so it is stronger and less brittle, narrow, or fragile than before. Not all patients will need bone grafts, but those who do should understand what goes into the process.
Most patients will go their lives without requiring a bone graft to have dental work done. However, in some cases, a bone graft is necessary for dental procedures like implant placement. A person will typically need a bone graft when their jawbone does not have enough support or material to withstand a procedure.
For instance, dental implants require that a metal post be screwed into the jawbone, onto which a false tooth can be affixed. This is a useful tooth replacement option, as the metal post replicates the biting forces of a tooth root. However, if a person’s jawbone is not strong enough to hold the post, the implant post may shift and move, leading to a failed implant. This is one case in which a bone graft could be necessary.
To perform a bone graft, the dentist will collect bone tissue from somewhere else in the body. This is often the roof of the mouth, but it can also come from the chin, the hip, or even a bank of other people’s bone tissue. Then, the dentist will place this grafted bone material onto the weakened area. Over time, the new tissue will fuse with the existing bone to become denser and stronger.
A bone graft can take a while to recover from, but it is only the first few days that pose the greatest inconvenience. Since bone grafts access the bone underneath the skin or gums, patients will need to eat a soft food or liquid diet to enable the surgical site to heal.
Afterward, they can manage their pain with over-the-counter pain relief options. Then, it is simply a matter of waiting (often for around six months) for the new bone to fuse with the existing structures.
A bone graft is an in-depth process, but it can open up many possibilities for dental implants and other restorations that may not have been possible otherwise. Our experienced team can help you recover quickly from a bone graft so you can get back to living your life to the fullest. Contact our office to ask questions about a potential bone graft, to address any of your concerns, or to schedule an appointment for evaluation.
Request an appointment here: https://www.periocafe.com or call Brighton Periodontal & Implant Dental Group at (818) 703-7733 for an appointment in our Woodland Hills office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Bone Grafting in Woodland Hills, CA.
A missing tooth can have consequences on oral health and self-confidence. The good news is that periodontists have several tooth replacement options to restore a patient’s smile, no matter where the lost tooth was located. Whether through surgical or nonsurgical tooth replacements, periodontists can effectively fill gaps in your smile, improve bite function and force,…
It is common for people to be self-conscious about their smile, and many do not realize just how big of an impact that expert implant dentistry can have. Implants provide functional and aesthetic benefits that other restorations cannot achieve. The implant process is more in-depth than options like dentures, so the overall outcome is also…
People who are seeking healthy gums but are dealing with challenges with gingivitis can see an expert periodontist, a dental professional who has studied the structures that support the teeth. These include the gums, the jawbone itself, and the ligaments that help hold the teeth in place.Periodontists are trained dentists who focus their attention on…
Concerned about gum recession? Read on to learn more. If your smile looks different in the mirror recently, you might want to see a periodontist. You may notice your tooth roots are showing more, your teeth seem longer, or your gums are receding. Perhaps your gums are becoming more tender and your teeth are more…
Whether through surgical or nonsurgical tooth replacements, periodontists can effectively fill gaps in your smile,…
Expert implant dentistry fills gaps in a patient's smile with teeth that are indistinguishable from…
Not everyone needs to see a periodontist, but if you do, you can rest assured…
Concerned about gum recession? Read on to learn more. If your smile looks different in…
All-on-4 is an effective way to address large gaps or even entire missing arches of…
During the consultation with an implant dentist, the patient and the dental team can put…
