When patients lose teeth, they often don't realize that their overall oral health will suffer. Without a tooth in the socket, the jaw bone begins to deteriorate. The longer a tooth is missing, the greater the bone loss. A missing tooth can also cause surrounding teeth to move into misalignment. Fortunately, bone grafting can combat jaw bone loss, preserve tooth sockets, prevent misalignment, and even provide support for the placement of dental implants.
There are a variety of bone grafting procedures available, from socket preservation to prepare for future dental implants to sinus lifts, which restore the already-thin upper jaw bone. Your treatment will depend on your specific needs. However, if you are interested in hearing about bone grafting and how it can benefit your oral health and your plans for implants, we encourage you to watch the testimonials below. Each video features a patient explaining why they needed a bone graft and how it has improved their oral health and function.
Bone grafting is a procedure that restores parts of the jaw bone and facial skeleton that are lacking in quantity or quality of bone. Missing teeth, traumatic injuries, genetic defects, and other oral health problems can all lead to an insufficient amount of bone in the jaw or face. Your surgeon may recommend bone grafting as a part of a larger treatment plan to replace missing teeth or restore your facial bones after a traumatic injury.
For dental implants to integrate with the jaw bone and provide a secure foundation for the new crown, the jaw bone must have the proper height and width to support the implant post. When a tooth or teeth have been missing for an extended period of time, the jaw bone surrounding the missing tooth site tends to recede due to a lack of stimulation. If this is the case, bone grafting may be necessary to restore the jaw bone and allow for the secure placement of dental implants.
At Columbia Basin Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, there are a variety of different bone grafting treatments available to restore the jaw and facial bones. If you undergo a bone grafting procedure, the grafting material can be taken from your own bone, usually from your jaw or hip bones, or from a tissue bank.
Socket Preservation: If you need a tooth extracted, sometimes your surgeon will recommend a bone graft procedure to speed up healing and preserve the shape of the jaw bone. This is usually recommended if you wish to have a dental implant placed at a later date and want to ensure that the tooth socket is preserved for further placement. This can often be completed at the time that your tooth is removed.
Ridge Expansion: Some patients lack the amount of jaw bone necessary for successful implant placement. A unique bone grafting procedure called ridge expansion can be performed to increase the height and/or width of the jaw bone. This distinctive technique recreates the natural contour of your gums and jaw, improving the aesthetics of your mouth and jaw line. Once the graft has healed, the jaw bone will be strong enough and wide enough to support dental implants.
Sinus Lift: The sinuses rest just behind the cheeks and above your upper teeth. When patients need dental implants placed within their upper arch of teeth, sometimes the bone which separates the mouth from the sinus cavity is too thin to support implant placement. Your oral surgeon can perform a sinus lift procedure (also known as a sinus graft) to correct this problem. During the treatment, your surgeon will enter the sinus through the upper jaw and carefully lift the sinus membrane. Bone graft material is then placed in the sinus to provide adequate space for the dental implant.
At Columbia Basin Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Drs. Cooper, Teeples, Toponce, Reddinger, and Black are experts in diagnosing the jaw and preparing the mouth for dental implant restorations. When you come in for a consultation or surgery, we will ensure that you feel informed and prepared for whatever procedure you decide to undergo. If you are interested in dental implant placement or bone restoration procedures, we encourage you to contact our office in Kennewick, WA, to schedule an appointment.
