Bone Grafting

At Blue Summit Dental Group, we specialize in a wide variety of restorative treatments designed to correct problems with your teeth, gums, and jaw. Patients with missing teeth or severe gum disease may need a bone graft. In many cases, a bone graft is a necessary step towards a healthier smile.

What Is a Bone Graft?

A bone graft is a surgical procedure that involves placing graft material onto an area of your jaw that has experienced bone deterioration. The graft material is designed to foster the growth of healthier, stronger bone. This can be beneficial for several reasons, especially if you need dental implants.

There are four major types of bone grafts:

• Autograft: Bone sourced from a bone-rich area of your body
• Allograft: Bone sourced from a separate human donor
• Xenograft: Bone sourced from another animal, usually a cow
• Alloplast: graft material that is synthetically-produced in a laboratory

Types of Bone Grafting Procedure

There are also several different types of grafting procedures:

• Ridge Expansion: During this procedure, we divide the alveolar ridge and place grafting material to make more room in the jaw.
• Sinus Lift: During this procedure, the sinus membrane is “lifted” to create space for the grafting material. This is usually a preliminary procedure necessary to place implants in the posterior (back) region of the upper arch. This area of the jaw tends to have less bone.
• Socket Preservation: During this procedure, graft material is placed in the socket immediately following a tooth extraction. This can help prevent bone deterioration, and ensure you qualify for implant treatment.

Reasons for a Bone Graft

There are three major reasons you may need a bone graft, the first of which being dental implants. An implant is a titanium screw that acts as the root component of restoration. Thanks to the process of osseointegration, the implant screw fuses to the jawbone, enabling it to support an appliance against the strongest forces of your bite. This process, however, requires an adequate amount of bone in the jaw. If the bone is tooth thin or too soft, the implant is likely to fail. A bone graft will ensure your implant procedure is a success.

The second major reason is gum disease. Gum disease is an infection that spreads to the gum tissue, connective ligaments, and underlying bone. Ultimately, it can cause irreversible damage that threatens the life of a tooth. A bone graft can prevent bone loss, save your teeth, and allow you to keep a more youthful facial appearance.

The final reason for a bone graft is extraction. After tooth extraction, a graft can help keep your bone healthy and strong until you are ready to receive a dental implant. It’s always easier to prevent deterioration rather than treat it.

After Your Bone Graft

After you undergo your bone graft, Dr. Ralph Becker will give you a detailed set of post-operative instructions. Minor discomfort, swelling, and bleeding are normal. Most of these symptoms should subside within the first week or two. It can take six to nine months to foster the growth of bone-healthy enough to support a dental implant.

Schedule a Consultation

The first step to a healthier mouth is just a phone call away. Call (810) 658-9177 to schedule a consultation now!

Dental services we offer to our Davison community