Bone Grafting for Dental Implants in Lake Orion, MI
If you have severely damaged or missing teeth, you know how challenging gaps in your smile can make your everyday life. Fortunately, restoring your smile’s health, comfort, and appearance is possible with dental implants that look and feel like your natural teeth.
When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone slowly resorbs and diminishes in size over time. Jaw bone grafting helps overcome the challenges of insufficient bone volume or poor bone quality. By augmenting the jawbone with grafting materials, we can enhance bone density and create a suitable environment for successful dental implant placement.
What is a Bone Graft?
A bone graft is a specialized surgical procedure to augment or replace missing bone in the jaw. It involves the placement of bone or bone-like materials in areas where bone density or volume is insufficient. Dental bone grafting is an essential technique in oral surgery and dental implant procedures, providing the necessary foundation for successful implant placement and promoting overall oral health.
Why Would I Need a Jaw Bone Graft?
There are several common scenarios where a bone graft may be necessary:
- Jawbone Deterioration: When a tooth is missing or extracted, the surrounding jawbone may gradually deteriorate. Bone grafting helps rebuild the bone, preventing further deterioration and providing a strong foundation for dental implants.
- Tooth Loss: In cases where a tooth has been missing for an extended period, the underlying bone may have experienced resorption, leading to a loss of bone volume. Bone grafting replenishes bone density, creating a suitable environment for dental implant placement.
- Dental Trauma: Severe dental injuries or facial trauma can result in significant bone loss in the jaw. Bone grafting procedures can restore the damaged bone, improving oral function, and facilitating the placement of dental implants, if necessary.
Bone Grafting Procedure at Seven Oaks Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Initial Consultation: During your initial consultation, our oral surgeon will carefully examine your oral health, review your medical history, and discuss your treatment goals. This is an opportunity to ask questions, address any concerns, and understand the details of the bone grafting procedure.
- Bone Graft Material: The choice of bone graft material depends on your specific needs and the recommendation of your oral surgeon. Your oral surgeon will discuss the advantages and suitability of each option based on your individual case.
- Surgical Techniques: The bone grafting procedure typically involves:
- Incision: Your oral surgeon will create a small incision in the gum tissue to access the area where the bone graft is needed.
- Bone Graft Placement: The bone graft material, prepared beforehand, is then carefully placed in the targeted area. This may involve shaping the graft to fit the specific contours of the jawbone.
- Suturing: Once the graft is in place, the incision is closed using dissolvable sutures or stitches, ensuring proper wound healing.
- Recovery and Post-Operative Care: After the bone grafting procedure, you will receive detailed post-operative instructions from your oral surgeon. It is important to follow these instructions carefully to promote proper healing.
Is Dental Bone Grafting Painful?
We understand that concerns about pain and discomfort are common when considering a dental bone grafting procedure. Before the bone grafting procedure, our oral surgeon will administer local anesthesia to numb the treatment area. This ensures that you will not feel any pain during the surgery. Depending on your preference and the complexity of the bone grafting procedure, sedation options may be available to enhance your comfort.
After the bone grafting procedure, you may experience mild discomfort or soreness as the surgical site heals. Your oral surgeon will prescribe appropriate pain medication to manage any post-operative discomfort. Applying cold compresses to the outside of your face near the surgical area can help minimize swelling and alleviate discomfort. Maintaining good oral hygiene practices and avoiding strenuous activities will aid in the healing process and minimize discomfort.
Bone Grafting Procedures in Lake Orion, MI
If you are experiencing jawbone issues or considering dental implants, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Seven Oaks Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Lake Orion, MI. Dr. John and our dedicated team will assess your needs, discuss treatment options, and determine if a bone graft is necessary to achieve your oral health goals.