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Bone Grafting FAQs
Bone grafting is a meticulous and effective procedure for restoring the structural integrity of the jawbone and stopping bone recession. In many cases, the oral surgeon will recommend this treatment to build the jaw for a dental implant procedure. However, bone grafting can also be a practical way to improve jaw strength following an injury. Due to the nature of the procedure, patients often have questions, most of which will be answered in this article.
What is the process of bone grafting?
Bone grafting involves rebuilding bone in areas with depleted bone volume. Regarded as minor surgery, the oral surgeon will perform the procedure under local anesthesia. Grafting material from other parts of the body or external sources will be deposited in the socket where the bone is deficient. Over the following months, new bone cells will start to form in the area to replace the grafting material.
Why would the oral surgeon recommend the procedure?
For a dental implant to be durable and fully functional, it has to integrate with the jawbone. If the bone volume in the area is not sufficient, the chances of implant success reduce drastically. When a tooth is lost and not replaced immediately, the quality and quality of the bone in the tooth socket starts to deteriorate. After a few years, there may not be enough bone in the socket to support a dental implant. This is when an oral surgeon will recommend a bone grafting procedure. If a patient suffers a form of trauma to the teeth or oral infection that caused damage to the jawbone, bone grafting may be required to repair and restore the jaw.
What is the source of grafting material?
The oral surgeon can obtain material for the different sources, including the patient’s body. However, they often use laboratory-processed bone from an animal or human donor or synthetic material.
Is the procedure safe?
There is no safety concerns if the material used for grafting came from the patient’s body. Other alternatives, including human and animal donors, have low chances of transmitting infections because they are subjected to strict safety screening. Also, the body slowly absorbs the graft material with time and replaces it with the person’s bone. This means the material does not stay permanently in the body, so there is no need to worry about that either.
Is the procedure painful?
To begin the bone grafting procedure, the oral surgeon will create a small incision in the gum to reach the bone under it. This may cause slight soreness after the procedure. The pain or discomfort can be alleviated with ice packs and pain relievers.
Can the body reject the bone grafting material?
The body cannot reject the graft since it contains no genetic code or living material. The only thing to worry about is if the body will produce enough bone. After recovery from the bone graft, and the bone volume is still not enough to hold a dental implant, the dentist may add more grafting material during implant placement.
In conclusion
If you have more questions about bone grafting procedure, contact the dental office to book an appointment for a consultation.
Request an appointment here: https://gratondentalgr.wpengine.com or call Graton Dental Group at (707) 706-2028 for an appointment in our Rohnert Park office.
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Call our Rohnert Park Dental Office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.