Dental implants allow lifelike dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, and dentures to exert maximum chewing pressure and last for many more years than traditional tooth replacements. This makes them the best way to replace missing teeth, and they are rapidly becoming an incredibly popular tooth loss solution. However, it may be necessary for a patient to receive bone grafts on their jaw before implants can be placed. Here’s a brief guide to why bone grafts may be necessary and how they are performed.
Why Would Bone Grafts Be Necessary for Dental Implants?
Tooth loss deprives the jaw of the exercise it receives during the chewing process, and it needs this stimulation to keep its bone structure healthy and strong. After the tooth is lost, the jawbone will begin to gradually atrophy and recede, and this process can pull neighboring teeth out of alignment and set the patient up for oral infections, injuries, and further tooth loss. Dental implants must be placed in strong bone structure to be successful, and going too long without replacing teeth can leave the jaws too thin for the treatment.
Fortunately, many patients can address this issue by receiving bone grafts to reinforce their jawbones. If the patient is approved for dental implants, they can be scheduled to have them placed as soon as they have recovered from the grafting procedure.
How Do Bone Grafts Work?
Bone grafts are typically performed by oral surgery specialists, and the process always begins with administering an appropriate anesthetic to ensure that the patient feels no pain during the procedure. Then, the oral surgeon will place donated bone tissue (usually from the patient) on the atrophied jawbone structure through small incisions made in the gums. It typically takes four to six months for the jawbone and the donated bone tissue to integrate and for the patient to heal after the procedure.
Don’t let jawbone atrophy caused by tooth loss prevent you from achieving the smile of your dreams. Consulting with your dentist can help you find the best way to replace your missing teeth.
About the Practice
Hill Dental Wellness offers the finest oral health services in Falmouth, and Drs. Kelsey Hill and Kenneth Myers ensure that each patient receives exemplary care and outstanding customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implants. To book your consultation for dental implants, contact the office online or dial the desk at (207) 797-3130.