Services
Bone Grafting
What Is A Bone Graft?
A bone graft is a procedure performed to restore lost bone along the dental ridge once decay, infection, poor stimulation, or extraction has led to an empty socket or lost bone density. Using either synthetic material, bone tissue from a donor, or bone from your own body, this material is packed into the empty space and covered with a protective membrane to heal, solidify, and fuse to the surrounding bone.
- Bone grafting is most often performed as a preliminary procedure before dental implants are placed. If bone loss is discovered within the jawbone, this provides a solid foundation for implants to be anchored to so that they remain stable and secure.
- Bone grafting may also be used to augment the dental ridge following an extraction. This fills in the empty tooth socket and allows for an implant to be placed in the future.
Bone Grafting Procedure
While the idea of a bone graft may seem scary, you can rest assured that the procedure is relatively common and has impressively high success rates! The procedure occurs as follows from start to finish:
1. X-Ray
Once x-rays have been taken to confirm a treatment plan and define the location needing the bone graft, the surgery can begin.
2. Sedation
We will first start by providing proper anesthesia and sedation to keep you comfortable and relaxed throughout the surgery.
3. Gum Incision
Once the area is thoroughly cleaned, we will create a small incision in the gum tissue above the area lacking bone.
4. Bone Placement
Bone material will be placed in the void space that lacks bone, and a membrane will be placed over the top to secure the material in place.
5. Healing
The incision will finally be closed for healing.
Restoring Your Implant
While you may see swelling and discomfort disappear completely within one or two weeks, this procedure may take up to three months to heal completely. During the initial healing process, we recommend that you contact our team immediately upon noticing any of the following changes:
- Pus drainage from the surgical site
- Pain or swelling that worsens over time
- Gum recession in surrounding teeth
- Lack of visible improvement in bone volume
Who Needs A Bone Graft?
The loss of teeth and bone is a process that occurs to the oral anatomy as a result of many various factors; this includes tooth decay, gum disease, tooth extractions, aging, or facial trauma – even wearing dentures or having misaligned teeth can result in weakening of the bone structure!
Any person that has bone loss in their jaw can benefit from a bone grafting procedure. While this is most often utilized before getting dental implants, bone grafting can be used in other circumstances as well. This includes:
- Filling a socket after a tooth extraction
- Restoring areas of bone loss due to gum disease
- Providing facial enhancements to patients suffering from loss of bone mass or facial collapse
Working To Rebuild Your Oral Health
When you choose Clark Oral & Facial Surgery for your surgical needs, you’re choosing a team that is here for you from beginning to end! We truly care about our patients and work extensively to ensure the options we offer will fit your needs directly and effectively change your life. We want to see your oral health improve by our procedures, and we want to see your smile improve too!
With our bone grafting procedure, you can find peace in knowing that if you experience bone loss or tooth loss, we can bring your smile back! Call our office today if you would like to learn more!