Why Do Dentists Perform Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting is a minor surgical process performed in the dentist’s office to rebuild bone in the patient’s jawbone. The procedure involves a small incision in the gum to allow the dentist access to the jawbone and the insertion of graft material made from processed bone minerals around which the body will build more natural bone. The material used for grafting can come from the patient’s own bones, from animals or human donors or it can be synthetic material made in a laboratory. The material also comes in many different forms, such as powder, putty, granules or gel and the method used for inserting the material is also chosen from a varied range of procedures, depending on the selected material type.

Bone grafting is great, modern procedure preformed by Castle Rock oral surgery professionals that can serve many purposes – here are some.

The Implementation of Dental Implants

The process of getting a dental implant is lengthy because the healing process of the jawbone takes much longer than the healing of the gum – the jawbone needs to remineralize and to strengthen properly before it becomes able to receive the implant. In some cases, the patient’s body fails to supply the minerals necessary for the process and the socket that remains after the tooth is extracted does not get filled with bone that is strong enough. In these cases, the dentist might decide that the best way to achieve the right bone volume and density in the area where the implant will be installed is grafting.

Saving Existing Teeth

Certain diseases, such as periodontal disease, can lead to bone loss and the subsequent loosening of teeth. Bone grafting is an efficient method to solve these problems by inserting the grafting material that prompts the patient’s body to build strong and healthy bone around the inert. The resulting healthier, stronger jawbone might help the patient keep natural teeth for longer.

Dental Extractions

If the patient who needs dental extraction knows that the chosen method for tooth replacement will be implanting at the time of the extraction and the dentist known that the patient’s jawbone is sufficiently strong at the time of the extraction as well, the specialist might choose to insert the graft material right after or soon after the extraction to prepare the bone for the implanting procedure.

Another reason why bone grafting might be needed after dental extraction is to prevent bone resorption, the process of bone loss in the extraction area.

The Process of Bone Grafting

The procedure is usually performed in local anesthesia and it is a very quick, routine procedure that involves a minor incision and the application of the graft material. The healing process is very similar to the healing after a tooth extraction, with complete healing taking up to six weeks – if the grafting was necessary to prepare the jawbone for receiving the implant, the patient might have to wait for a couple of months to get really strong bone matter in the area where the titanium post of the implant will be installed to ensure that the implanting procedure can be properly performed.