Oral surgeons use bone grafting in a variety of treatments, for both functional and aesthetic reasons.
Many patients require a small graft prior to having a dental implant procedure. This technique is also used frequently in maxillary sinus lift surgery, for ridge augmentation and to preserve the socket of extracted teeth.
Bone grafting is safe and highly effective for many oral and maxillofacial surgery treatments.
Bone Grafting for Dental Implants in Richmond, Indiana
Tooth roots provide a constant source of stimulation to the underlying bony ridge in which they rest. This results in an ongoing process known as remodeling. Remodeling ensures that the bone remains healthy and sufficiently dense to hold teeth in place.
Once one or more teeth are gone, however, the bone begins to deteriorate — a process called resorption. Once the bone atrophies, it does not provide a sufficient foundation to anchor the artificial tooth root of a dental implant.
Bone Grafting for Sinus Lift and Ridge Augmentation
Resorption occurs fairly rapidly in patients who transition to dentures, and continues over time. This results in the typical sunken-mouth appearance common to denture-wearers. It also causes the dentures to become ill-fitting and uncomfortable, requiring periodic relining or replacement.
If those patients later elect to get implants or permanent dentures, the surgeon will perform a grafting procedure known as a sinus lift or ridge augmentation to restore the lost bone.
Ridge augmentation restores the bony ridge below the lower teeth. A sinus lift adds bone to the upper arch, allowing the oral surgeon to properly anchor dental implants.
The Bone Grafting Procedure
Our oral surgeons handle most bone grafting in our office or an outpatient surgical center. Depending on the extent of the procedure, the surgeon will administer IV sedation or general anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Because this procedure is usually a minor one, recovery time is minimal.
You will have a brief waiting period between the graft and the dental implantation, to ensure that the bone has time to take hold.
The source of the graft may be your own body, or the surgeon may use a donor or synthetic product designed to imitate natural bone formation.
Autogenous bone grafting is the term used for transplanting tissue from the patient’s own body. This method helps reduce complications such as rejection. It also expedites the healing and the incorporation process.
Synthetic bone substitute technology continues to advance, providing a viable alternative to autogenous or donor sources. The surgeon can recommend the best approach for your procedure and answer all your questions.
At Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery LLC, our experienced surgeons will use the best graft options and procedures to meet your individual needs and treatment goals.
Contact Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery LLC today to learn more about how this revolutionary technique can benefit you.
Contact us for your consultation
We look forward to helping you!