Have you been told that you require a bone grafting procedure? In a dental setting, the most common reason for needing bone grafting is the placement of dental implants. When you go with missing teeth for an extended period, the underlying jawbone will begin to atrophy. So, a bone graft will sometimes be necessary to provide enough bone mass to support your new dental implant.
If you are receiving an implant, a prosthodontist, a type of dentist specializing in dental implants, may perform the procedure. We have several prosthodontists on our team. To learn more about Lovett Dental Upper Kirby’s treatment options, contact us today at 713-490-8888.
Risks of Having Missing Teeth
Failing to undergo a teeth replacement procedure can lead to various complications. These potential problems can include:
- Bone atrophy or resorption
- Teeth shifting into the gap in your smile
- Unpleasant changes in your facial appearance due to bone loss
- Problems with your bite
Advantages of Dental Implants for Teeth Replacement
Receiving a dental implant is the best prosthodontics solution for missing teeth for several fundamental reasons. When you have a tooth in its socket, your jawbone firmly fuses around it. Without the presence of a tooth root, the bone will begin to melt away in the area. By receiving a dental implant, you encourage your jawbone to grow around it, providing a solid anchor for your new implant.
Another key advantage of receiving an implant is that it corrects various problems that arise whenever a tooth is missing. The resulting gap in your smile will eventually cause teeth surrounding the hole to begin shifting into it. This gap can cause both cosmetic and functional problems with your teeth, mouth, and bite.
Bone Graft Procedures
A bone graft procedure can repair the site of an implant when inadequate bone mass is present due to things like gum disease, prior extractions, or traumatic injuries. The bone used in the procedure can be taken from a tissue bank, or you may provide the bone yourself from a donor site.
Let’s take a look at some types of bone graft procedures and when they may be needed.
Autogenous Bone Grafts
Autogenous bone grafts are performed using bone taken from somewhere else in your body. Typical donor sites include the jaw, chin, hip, or lower leg bone. The advantage of this procedure is that the graft material is your living bone, eliminating the risk of rejection by your body.
Allogeneic Bone
Allogeneic bone is bone donated from a cadaver, meaning a dead body. Unlike living bone, allogeneic bone is unable to produce new bone tissue by itself. Instead, it provides a framework from which living bone can fill the void.
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
Bone morphogenetic proteins are produced by your own body to foster the formation of bone. These particular proteins direct your body to develop new bone and cartilage. Your surgeon will soak these proteins onto a collagen sponge that your body will absorb, stimulating cells to create new bone.
Since this particular process does not involve harvesting from a donor site, patients experience less discomfort from the procedure. It also eliminates the risk of complications from the bone graft procedure.
Xenogenic Bone
Xenogenic bone is donated from another species, commonly a cow. Using extremely high temperatures, the bone is carefully processed to prevent contamination or immune system rejection. As with allogenic grafts, xenogenic bone grafting provides a framework to encourage living bone tissue to grow around.
Both xenogenic and allogenic bone grafting procedures do not require a subsequent method for harvesting your own bone. They do, however, involve a longer period of bone regeneration.
Lovett Dental Upper Kirby Specializes in Bone Grafting
Although you should take any surgery seriously, bone graft procedures have become quite commonplace, and you should have a very low risk of post-procedure complications.
The idea of needing a bone graft procedure is, of course, not something that anyone wants to have. But it will help set the stage for receiving an implant, providing a firm foundation so that your new dental implant lasts for the rest of your life. In addition to our implant services, we also offer several other services, including:
- Fluoride treatments
- Dental veneers
- Dental cleanings
- Periodontic services
- Dental bonding
The experts at Lovett Dental Upper Kirby are ready to help. Call us at 713-490-8888 for more information on bone grafting today.
