Bone grafting is a common procedure performed on people who have lost bone density in the jawbone. This can be due to several reasons, the most common being tooth loss. Bone grafts are performed in a dentist’s office on an out-patient basis. Read on to learn more about what bone grafts are and why one might be needed.
What are the reasons for needing a bone graft?
The most common reason for needing a dental bone graft is to support tooth replacement options such as a dental implant. Dental implants are prosthetic teeth that are popular because they look, function, and feel just like a natural tooth. What makes dental implants so effective is that they are inserted into the jawbone using a post. Over time, this post fuses with the jawbone. This forms a foundation for the prosthetic to anchor to and this foundation requires a thick enough jawbone to support it.
When someone loses a tooth, their jawbone begins to deteriorate. Over time, if the tooth is not replaced, the jawbone will deteriorate to the point of not being able to support a dental implant. If someone has lost too much bone density due to the tooth loss a dental bone grafts may be necessary to support dental implants.
Although implants are the most common reason for bone grafts, it is not the only reason they are performed, however. In some cases, a person may need a bone graft for their teeth due to periodontal disease or other issues that have caused the bone to deteriorate and not be able to support the tooth.
What is a bone graft?
The procedure is an outpatient procedure and is considered a minor one. The total recovery time for bone grafts is between 2 weeks and 2 months. The dentist will use sedation for the procedure to ensure that you feel no discomfort. During the procedure the dentist makes a small incision in the gums to expose the jawbone. Then, the dentist will graft new bone material onto the existing bone, which will eventually fuse together and build up the bone in the places where it is needed most.
The donor bone dentists can use can come from a variety of sources. In many cases, the donor bone is taken from the back of the jawbone in the patient’s mouth, usually near where the wisdom teeth are located. These are called block bone grafts. If the patient wants to avoid having a second incision in their mouth to harvest the donor bone, they can usually choose for the dentist to use an animal donor or synthetic materials for the donor bone.
What is the bottom line?
The bottom line is that bone grafts are a common procedure performed on millions of people every year to support their oral health. If you need a bone graft and have questions, you should speak with your dentist right away. They will be able to explain the procedure to you in more detail and answer your questions.