BONE GRAFTING KATY, TEXAS 77449
Ideally there will be sufficient bone available when a patient is recommended for dental implants; however, that is not always the case. In some situations, a patient may need a bone graft in order to produce enough bone to make the implant successful. Basically, it means that bone is added to the area where the implant will be placed to increase the bone density. The graft causes the surrounding bone to regrow, so the bone density will become enough to support a dental implant.
Bone Grafting For Tooth Implant
The bone used in bone grafting can come from a variety of sources. It can be harvested from a part of your own body, from a cadaver or from a bovine. The bone harvested from your body may come from another part of the jawbone, often the chin area or upper palate. Bone from the hip or lower leg is also used.
Natural bone material works best for bone grafting, so when a patient opts for using bone other than their own, it usually comes from a cadaver or bovine. Cadaver bone is cleaned and sterilized before use in bone grafting. It usually arrives freeze dried and ready to use. Bone growth is also stimulated by grafting bovine bone into the implant area.
Ideally, the patient’s own bone is used for the graft. This reduces the level of risk and also lowers the rate of rejection of the graft material. The amount of bone needed for a bone graft is very small.
After a thorough oral examination, Dr. Millwala will determine if a bone graft is needed. There are various indications for bone grafting:
- A sinus lift – In this case, the floor of the sinus is raised slightly so an implant can be placed in the upper jaw. The upper jaw does not always provide enough depth to successfully place an implant, so this procedure moves the sinus just enough to provide room for additional bone to grow to support an implant.
- Stability – Occasionally, a bone graft is used to aid in stabilizing a newly placed implant.
- Maintain space – When a tooth is extracted and the area is not suitable for an implant at the time of the extraction, a piece of bone may be inserted into the site in order to maintain the space where the implant will eventually be placed.
- Enhance existing bone – If a tooth was extracted years ago, the bone in that area has most likely resorbed and thinned, making it unadvisable to place an implant in that area. A bone graft will cause the area to grow new bone over several months and produce the density needed for an implant.
Dental Bone Grafting Procedure
Bone grafts heal at different rates depending on the person’s physiology and the type of bone graft procedure. Dr. Millwala strives to minimize the “wait time” during the healing process. This is done by ensuring that the implant is placed with precision and with the least amount of trauma to the area.
Proper home care also aids in swift healing, preparing the way for prosthetic teeth that will be successfully functional for years to come. You will be given directions on how to care for your mouth during healing. If you follow the directions faithfully, your bone graft will heal and produce the results needed for a successful implant.