Bone Grafting: What Is It and When Is It Performed?

Dental implants by far are the gold standard of tooth replacement. They are practical since they replace the whole tooth, including the root. This gives tooth implants an edge over the other treatments. However, there are instances that our dentist in Quincy, MA, may suggest that you undergo bone grafting in Quincy.

Do not let the name of the procedure scare you. It is a routine procedure and has been performed for a little over a century now. Bone grafting has been employed in different medical fields and has transformed countless lives. In dentistry, the procedure has been used to replace missing bone when you lose your teeth.

There’s no need to worry about or fear a bone grafting procedure.

The Truth Behind Bone Grafting

The whole aim of undergoing bone grafting in Quincy is to repair or rebuild the bones through bone tissue transplants. Our dentist in Quincy, MA, will transplant healthy bone tissue to rebuild your jawbone and the supporting tissues.

To start, our dentist near you will make an incision to expose the bone. Then the dentist will place or graft the new bone material to it. Within a few months, your cells will do all the work, providing you with your new bone.

The beauty of undergoing a bone grafting procedure is that the body can get rid of old cells and replace them with healthy new cells.

Who Needs Bone Grafting?

When you lose your tooth, it may be necessary for you to have a bone graft for the implant procedure to be successful. There are times when our dentist may recommend that you get a bone graft, even if you have just recently lost your tooth. This could be because the socket is infected, or it may not be the correct size.

The alveolar bone is the one that gets affected when you lose your teeth. This is the bone that holds your teeth in place. If you lose your teeth, the alveolar bone will deteriorate since it is not functioning as it should.

Your jawbone gets stronger every time you chew. Therefore, if there are no teeth, the alveolar bone deteriorates, and shortly after, the jawbone will follow suit.This is why you need bone grafting to help rebuild the alveolar bone.

When Is Bone Grafting Deemed Necessary?

In most scenarios, the procedure is recommended when you do not have enough alveolar bone to support the implants. There are several reasons why you might not have enough healthy bone, such as:

• Facial trauma or injury
• Gum disease
• Unoccupied spaces when you lose your teeth
• Developmental defects

Types of Bone Grafting

Our dentist near you performs different types of dental bone grafts. The type of bone graft chosen will depend on the lost tooth’s location and the extent of the damage. The common types of dental bone grafts are:

• Block Bone Graft

Just as the name suggests, our dentist uses a block of bone, usually from the rear part of your jawbone, to correct any issues. It is a procedure that is used whenever you have large defects in your jawbone.

• Socket Graft

After tooth loss, the alveolar bone starts to atrophy. The purpose of the socket graft is to prevent this eventuality. Bone from a human donor is placed in the socket. This will stop the socket from collapsing. Typically, you will have to wait for about six months before you can get an implant.

• Sinus Lift

If you have lost some of your teeth, especially the molars on your upper jaw, our dentist may recommend that you get a sinus lift. This is done because the molars are located underneath the sinuses. When you lose your teeth, the sinus may start to reach down and fill the space left by the molars.

• Lateral Ridge Preservation Graft

When you lose a tooth, there is a small unprotected ridge that is left behind. This procedure is performed to widen your jawbone so that the implant can be placed.

Although bone grafts are not always a prerequisite for implants, this procedure may be necessary for some patients. To determine if you’ll need a bone graft, contact us at Quincy Dental Associates to schedule a consultation.