Bone Grafting

Dental implants have given lots of people the opportunity to experience life with improved dental comfort but not everyone has enough jawbone to support implants. The reason for this is that when you lose a tooth and do not replace it, the bone starts to wear away.

Bone Grafting

Dental implants have given lots of people the opportunity to experience life with improved dental comfort but not everyone has enough jawbone to support implants. The reason for this is that when you lose a tooth and do not replace it, the bone starts to wear away.

When you have a complete smile, your roots create a stimulus in your jaw bone when you bite down. When roots are missing this does not happen and the jaw starts to gradually shrink away.

There are other reasons that you don’t have enough bone for implants, including
● Periodontal or gum disease
● Trauma to the face or jaw
● Wearing dentures for many years

Because of the force with which we bite and chew, it is essential to have a strong jaw to support the teeth. Our highly skilled team is very experienced in the planning and execution of dental implants and can assist in case you seek a bone graft in Epping to enable you to have a permanent solution to lost teeth.

What Can You Expect From The Bone Grafting Procedure

The bone grafting procedure is minimally invasive and usually performed in the office. Your dentist will numb your jaw with anaesthetic and remove the damaged tooth if necessary. He will then make a cut in your gum to get to your bone underneath. He or she will then insert the bone graft material into the bone before stitching it up again. The bone graft material is rich in collagen and protein and will encourage the bone in your jaw to rejuvenate.

Over time new bone will grow and replace the material that was inserted. You will then need to wait until the area heals fully before you can go ahead with dental implants.

Your dentist will recommend you quit smoking and stop taking certain medications before the bone graft procedure.

Where Does The Bone Graft Material Come From?

The healing time depends also on the type of material used for the procedure. There are quite a few different options:

● Autografts make use of bone from your body. Often bone is taken from your chin or palate.
● Allografts make use from an organism that is genetically similar. Some people find this beneficial because it means they only need one surgical procedure.
● Xenografts utilise bone from organisms that are not genetically similar. This is often bone taken from a cow.
● Synthetic grafts utilise biocompatible materials. There is an increased risk of rejection with a synthetic bone graft.

What Can You Expect After The Bone Grafting Procedure?

It is quite possible to experience some discomfort after the procedure. You may find your gums and face a bit swollen or tender. The site of the graft will be a little tender as well, and a little bleeding may also occur.
Remember to follow your dentists’ dental health instructions very carefully when you go home. Avoid smoking, and eat on the other side of your jaw.

Have you been told you do not have enough jaw bone for a dental implant? Contact our practice today to speak to one of our consultants for an assessment.
(02) 9158 6753

Disclaimer: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.