How Will a Bone Graft Help Me Receive My Dental Implant?

Dental implants have empowered countless patients to enjoy complete smiles after tooth loss, and the specialized process by which they are placed in the mouth allows them to work and feel just like real teeth. However, patients will need to meet certain oral health qualifications before they can receive them, so some people may need gum disease therapy or bone grafts before getting dental implants. Here’s a brief guide to why bone grafts can be necessary and how these treatments are performed.

How Do Dental Implants Work?

A dental implant can restore almost all the chewing power of a missing natural tooth and last up to a lifetime if it receives excellent care because it consists of a titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone. Titanium has the remarkable ability to fuse with living bone tissue through the natural process of osseointegration, and this allows the implant to bond with the jaw so it can enjoy a sturdy hold and maximum leverage. However, the patient will need to have adequately strong jawbones for the implant to be placed successfully.

Why Would I Need Bone Grafts for Dental Implants?

Briefly after a tooth is lost, the part of the jawbone that supported it will begin to atrophy due to lack of stimulation. As this bone structure recedes and becomes thinner, it can pull neighboring teeth out of alignment and leave them more vulnerable to injury and infection. While replacing a lost tooth with a dental implant can restore the stimulation the jawbone needs to stay strong and potentially reverse the process of bone loss, the jaw of someone who has gone for a long time without replacing their tooth may be too thin for an implant.

Luckily, bone grafts have allowed many people with thin jawbones to enjoy the benefits of replacing lost teeth with dental implants. If you need this procedure in order to receive implants, your dentist may be able to recommend a trusted specialist.

How Can Bone Grafts Strengthen Jawbones?

To perform a bone graft, your oral surgeon will place a small amount of donated bone tissue along your jaw through a small incision in your gum tissue. This procedure will only be performed after you receive an appropriate anesthetic to ensure your comfort, and it typically takes several months to recover afterward. Once the donated tissue has integrated with your jaw, your dentist will be able to plan your dental implant treatment.

Don’t let tooth loss lead to serious oral health consequences. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to replace your lost teeth.

About the Author

Dr. David R. Lloyd earned his dental degree at the Emory University School of Dentistry and completed his General Practice Residency at the Naval Hospital in Oakland. His office in Daytona Beach offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. To book your dental implant consultation, contact the office online or dial (386) 253-3629.