Are you considering dental implants? If so, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard about bone grafting. But what is it exactly, and why is it important? Read on for an overview of dental bone grafting and why it’s essential for a successful implant procedure.
What Is a Dental Bone Graft?
A dental bone graft is a surgical procedure in which bone material is added to the jawbone. Bone grafts can help repair damage caused to the jaw bone due to tooth loss, trauma, periodontal disease, and developmental defects. The bone grafting material can come from you, donor bone, or synthetic artificial bone, which is grafted onto the existing jawbone to increase its mass and strength. The graft slowly integrates into the jawbone over time, providing a solid foundation for the implant.
How Tooth Loss Leads to Bone Loss
Your teeth sit in alveolar sockets in your jawbone. As you use your teeth to chew and bite, the roots of the teeth stimulate the bone, encouraging it to remain healthy and dense. When these root structures are no longer present, that stimulation stops, and the bone begins to deteriorate. This bone atrophy process is called resorption and can happen quickly, leading to a drastic decrease in the amount of healthy bone in the jaw. A dental bone graft is necessary to build up the height and width of the jawbone under the gum tissue, providing enough strength and stability for successful implant placement.
Periodontal disease (gum disease) can also lead to bone loss. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause the bone around the teeth to deteriorate, making it difficult to place dental implants and increasing the likelihood of implant failure.
Why Bone Density Matters
Bone density is a major factor in a successful dental implant procedure. You will not be eligible to receive a dental implant if you don’t have enough healthy bone tissue to support the implant. The bone must integrate with the titanium post through a process called osseointegration. For this integration to occur, there needs to be enough bone around the implant post to provide support and stability.
Bone density also affects how long an implant can stay in place. An area with weak or inadequate bone density cannot offer adequate support over time and might result in the loosening of the implant or failure of the entire procedure. Existing teeth, gums, and periodontal ligaments can provide some support; however, when it comes to single dental implants, there is no other supporting structure other than your jaw.
The Benefits of Dental Bone Grafts
Dental bone grafting offers many benefits beyond providing enough structural support for implants. Restoring the mass of your jawbone can also help improve facial esthetics by restoring facial contours lost due to aging or tooth loss. In addition, strong jawbone provides better support for other teeth, making them less prone to movement or shifting as they age. Finally, this procedure helps stimulate new tissue growth in the area which can make healing after surgery much faster than if no graft was performed at all!
Dental implants are a great option for replacing missing teeth, but without adequate structural support from your own jawbone, they won’t be able to stay securely in place over time. That’s why we often recommend having a bone graft before getting implants—it provides better stability and offers other benefits like improved facial contours and faster healing times after surgery!
Your Oral Health is Our Priority
If you are considering dental implants, discuss the possibility of a bone graft with your oral surgeon. With proper care, these procedures can help ensure your implants stay securely in place for years to come!
Start your journey today by scheduling a consultation with one of our dental implant specialists so we can evaluate your needs and help you keep your beautiful smile strong and healthy! If you are searching for dental implants Deer Park, dental implants Barrington, or dental implants near me, we can help. To book an appointment, call (847) 381-0106 or complete the online booking form.
