Symptoms suggesting that you need a bone graft for a dental implant
Tooth loss and other jaw related infections may sometimes lead your dentist to suggest a bone graft before replacing the lost tooth. This ensures that the new tooth stays healthy and aligns perfectly with your dentition.
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that involves transplanting bone tissues to address bone loss or damage in your mouth. Bone grafting is usually done when a patient needs a dental implant but has weak or no jawbones to hold the implant in place.
The grafted bone merges with your bone tissue to provide much-needed assistance for bone tissue growth and regeneration. The goal of bone grafting is to provide a foundation for dental implants and hold them securely.
Types of Bone Grafting
- Sinus lift: A sinus lift becomes necessary where the implant is for an upper tooth. When a patient loses an upper tooth, the sinus (pockets of air-filled spaces behind the tooth) may drop into the position of the missing tooth root. This makes it necessary to lift the sinus back into its natural position. Once this is done, your dentist performs a bone graft in preparation for your dental implant.
- Socket preservation: A socket preservation is performed immediately after tooth extraction or removal. This type of bone graft protects your jawbones and fills up the space left by the extracted tooth.
- Periodontal bone graft: The periodontal bone graft is made around an existing tooth, unlike the sinus lift and socket preservation. A periodontal bone graft becomes necessary when the bone around your tooth erodes due to a gum infection. The erosion of supporting bones make your tooth loose and require a periodontal bone graft to restore tooth stability.
- Ridge Augmentation: A bone graft for ridge augmentation is done to increase your jawbone’s width. If you’ve had missing teeth for a long time, the surrounding jawbones may wear thin and become unable to support the implant. A ridge augmentation will be necessary to increase your jawbone’s volume and support for a new tooth.
Dentists often require full healing of the bone graft before the dental implant is carried out. This prevents infections and ensures a solid foundation for your new tooth.
Do I Need A Bone Graft?
The only way to find out if you need a bone graft is to see a dentist in North York, Ontario. However, the following are some of the symptoms suggesting that you need a bone graft for dental implant:
Is Bone Grafting Safe?
Bone grafting is generally safe and almost painless. The materials used in bone grafting may be autogenous, that is taken from your body, sourced from a human or animal tissue bank, or synthetic. These materials are hygienic and pose no risk to your oral health.
The procedure is performed while you’re awake and with local anesthesia to numb the area. After the surgery, it is important to follow the dentist’s instructions and use the medications as prescribed.
Failure to adhere to these post-operative care instructions may lead to complications such as swelling, infections, and gum recession. It is also important to avoid smoking and alcohol intake after getting a bone graft for dental implant surgery to prevent complications.
Conclusion
When done properly, bone grafting offers you a great way to replace a lost tooth, treat gum infections, and rectify other jaw-related procedures. It also offers cosmetic benefits as a preparatory procedure for dental implants, helping you regain your smiling confidence.
At Gta Implant, we provide tailored bone grafting and dental implant solutions that improve your oral health and dentition.
Location
- 200 Finch Avenue West Suite 223 Toronto, ON M2R 3W4