Bone Grafting
Upon the removal of teeth, the jawbone will atrophy and slowly reabsorb over time. This creates a condition in which there is poor quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. By grafting bone to the deficient area, you will now be able to have an implant of proper width and length that will restore your functionality and esthetic appearance.
There are several major factors that affect jaw bone volume:
Periodontal Disease – Periodontal disease can affect and permanently damage the jaw bone that supports the teeth. Affected areas progressively worsen until the teeth become unstable.
Tooth Extraction – Patients who have experienced a tooth extraction subsequently lose the bone surrounding the extraction site during the following years. Loss of bone results in what is called a bone defect. This makes the placement of a dental implant difficult without preserving the tooth socket with a bone graft and membrane to conserve the bone height and width.
Injuries and Infections – Dental injuries and other physical injuries resulting from a blow to the jaw can cause the bone to recede. Infections can also cause the jaw bone to recede in a similar way.
What does Bone Grafting Involve?
The bone used is either your own bone or obtained from a tissue bank. Special membranes may be used to cover and protect the bone graft. This promotes natural healing and bone growth.
What are the benefits of bone grafting?
If you are considering implants and have missing teeth, bone grafting will often allow you to get implants even if you lack sufficient bone to support them. This will help to the function, phonetics, and esthetic appearance you had prior to the removal a tooth.
Socket Grafting
What is socket grafting?
A socket is the area of your jaw where the tooth was occupied prior to its removal. When a tooth has suffered damage or has been lost, it may require socket grafting. This is a procedure that rebuilds the bone to allow for tooth replacement by a dental implant or bridge restoration. The bone, which surrounds the tooth socket, deteriorates quickly once a tooth is removed.
If a socket continues to be empty after tooth loss, the accelerated bone loss can effect adjacent teeth. Thus, it is important for appearance and health to rebuild the socket quickly after tooth loss with a bone graft.
What is involved in socket grafting?
After the tooth has been removed, the socket will be cleaned and bone grafting material will then be placed into the socket. Sometimes, a membrane will be placed over the bone graft to preserve and protect the graft material.
There is an extended healing time for the grafted material to fully combine with your natural bone. The healing process must be complete before continuing with the placement of implants or the fabrication of a restoration.
Sinus Lift
Why would I need a sinus lift?
When you are getting implants, the key to their success is the quality and quantity of the bone where the implant will be placed. The back of the upper jaw often needs to be bone grafted because there is usually insufficient bone and is in very close proximity to your sinus. If you have lost bone in the back of the jaw due to tooth loss or periodontal disease, there may not be enough bone to place a dental implant without adding bone.
What is involved in getting a sinus lift?
There are many techniques that may be used to raise your sinus to allow for new bone growth. A common technique is exposing the sinus cavity from inside your mouth and elevating the sinus lining to allow placement of the bone graft in the area where dental implants are planned to be placed. Dr. Wolfrom will explain what types of bone graft material can be used to perform this procedure.