Dental implants and bone grafting often go together. When you lose a tooth due to injury or decay, the hole in the bone where the root was embedded must be filled with bone in order to successfully place an implant and hold it in place. To do that, your dentist will surgically repair or rebuild bones through the transplantation of bone tissue. With bone grafting, we now have the opportunity to not only replace the bone, but also to promote new bone growth in that location. This gives us the ability to place implants of proper length and width, as well as a chance to restore functionality and esthetic appearance.
Why Do I Need Bone Grafting?
There are several instances where you might benefit from bone grafting. For example, if you have your front upper or lower teeth removed, your dentist may place a bone graft at the time of extraction. This is because the walls of your sockets in those areas are very thin, and they may not fill with bone naturally. The bone graft will maintain the width and volume of bone so that implants may be placed later on. If your tooth was removed many years ago and your bony ridge is extremely thin, your dentist may also recommend a bone graft to be placed next to the thin bone to fuse with it. Afterwards, the ridge will be re-entered and the implant placed.
What Can I Expect From A Bone Grafting Procedure?
Bone grafting is usually a relatively comfortable office procedure. Many different bone-grafting materials are available, including your own bone. Bone grafting in preparation for dental implants is extremely common to ensure that treatment is successful. The procedure can vary widely depending on the size and location. The bone graft procedure is performed in the office setting with local anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Usually, there is minor swelling and pain, which subsides in about one to two weeks. The bone that is added to the jaw will require four to six months to fully heal, after which an implant can be placed safely. Dr. Alexander Onatsky is highly skilled and experienced to perform this procedure comfortably and effectively in our Brooklyn office.
