Will I Require Bone Grafting Prior to Dental Implant Surgery?
Dr. Mike Meek and Dr. David Tasch can coordinate with top oral surgeons to provide bone grafting surgery for dental implant patients in the Austin, TX-area. This procedure restores lost bone volume in the jaw, so that patients are able to undergo dental implant surgery. Enhanced jawbone density ensures implants and restorations have the support they need for full stability and functionality. This procedure is a crucial step for patients who have already suffered bone loss, as well as for those having one or more teeth extracted.
What Is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that uses natural or synthetic bone material to rebuild lost tissue in the jaw. Bone loss begins almost immediately after you lose a tooth. The jawbone begins to shrink, causing facial tissues like the lips and cheeks, to collapse. As the jawbone shrinks, this does not leave enough tissue to support dental implants. A surgical bone graft rebuilds the lost tissue and creates a sufficient foundation to support dental implants.
When Is Bone Grafting Necessary?
Inadequate bone density is the primary reason patients require bone grafting. Patients who have suffered from tooth loss for an extended amount of time are more likely to need a bone graft. Bone loss occurs even if the patient replaces missing teeth with a bridge or denture, since traditional restorations only replace the crowns, not the tooth roots.
Patients who must have one or more teeth extracted prior to dental implant surgery may also need a bone graft. The bone graft material preserves the tooth socket and prevents bone loss. Most patients under the age of 30 do not require bone grafts prior to dental implant placement.
Understanding Bone Graft Surgery
When you undergo bone graft surgery, the graft may be natural or synthetic. Natural grafts may come from bone in other areas of your body. They may also come from a cadaver. Natural grafts typically have a better success rate than synthetic materials.
Adequate bone tissue support ensures dental implant success. With bone grafts, patients can enjoy a lifetime of permanent and stable restorations.
To place a graft, one or more incisions are made to allow access to the bony defect. Then, the bone graft material can be added. In some cases, a protective, biocompatible membrane is placed over the graft. If you had one or more teeth extracted, a bone graft may be placed in the socket. This ensures bone loss does not occur before implant surgery begins.
What Are the Benefits?
Bone grafting is a necessary procedure in the dental implant process for some patients. By placing one or more bone grafts, patients can later become eligible for dental implant surgery. Adequate bone tissue support ensures dental implant success. With bone grafts, patients can enjoy a lifetime of permanent and stable restorations.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are missing one or more teeth and are considering dental implant surgery, schedule your consultation today. During your appointment, Dr. Mike Meek and Dr. David Tasch can evaluate your bone health to determine if you require a preparatory bone graft surgery.
