Dental implants have become a preferred solution for replacing missing teeth, offering both functionality and aesthetics. However, the success of these implants often hinges on the condition of the jawbone. For patients with insufficient bone density or volume, dental bone grafting may emerge as a recommendation from our Greater Orlando dentists to ensure optimal results.
Here’s how techniques employed by our team can transform your dental implant experience and provide you with a lasting, confident smile.
A Brief Overview of Dental Bone Grafting
If you’re familiar with other types of , then you know it’s the replacement of bone material where it’s needed most. The same goes for those of the dental variety, like a sinus lift. If you’ve lost a tooth, whether through extraction or neglect, our dentists will use a dental bone graft to fill the area in your jaw and encourage regeneration.
The oral surgery itself can be broken down into 4 distinct steps. We’ll start by administering the local anesthesia so the area being worked on is properly numb. If you would also like dental sedation to calm your nerves, we can provide that as well. Next, the area is thoroughly cleaned and an incision in the gum tissue is made.
Once there is room, our dentists will insert or place the bone material between two sections of existing bone so that they can grow together and become strong. Lastly, we’ll suture the area closed so that healing can begin.
Note→ If you’re undergoing tooth extraction before your dental bone graft, that step will need to be performed before the bone material is inserted.
Why Bone Grafts Are Routine for Dental Implants
Unless you’re an experienced dentist who specializes in the procedure, it can seem like don’t occur much. In fact, they are very common and many in line for an implant qualify for one. Our dentists can go over all of the details that pertain to your specific treatment to let you know whether or not a bone graft is necessary.
Even if you’re not interested in having a dental implant placed, we may still recommend the procedure to treat an area affected by severe gum disease, tooth loss, and bone loss. Our dentists only want what’s best for your smile so if a compromised portion of your jaw is discovered, we will strongly encourage you to consider the bone graft.
Healing & Recovery After a Dental Bone Graft
You can expect to experience some discomfort, swelling, and possibly bruising following a dental bone graft. These are all normal side effects and shouldn’t last more than a few days after your appointment. Our dentists may instruct you to take over-the-counter- pain relievers as needed to ease what you’re feeling. Antibiotics may also be prescribed.
Patients might be alarmed to notice tiny pieces of bone exiting the treated area in the first few days but this is not out of the ordinary. The pieces themselves should be no larger than a grain of sand or salt. Please double check with our dentists to ensure your healing is going as planned if this occurs.
Your mouth will need time to heal completely before the implant can be put in place. This may take anywhere from four to six months depending on your progress. Once you’re healed up, we’ll have you back into our Ocoee, FL, dental office for the implant procedure and then later on for the abutment (connector piece) and porcelain crown.
Meet With Our Implant Dentists
Bone grafting performed by our dental implant dentists serving Greater Orlando, FL, strengthens the jawbone and creates a solid foundation for replacement teeth. If you’d like to know whether this procedure is right for you, call Classic Smiles at (407) 378-0139 to request an appointment.
