Dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement, and the procedure grows more popular every year. However, some patients require an extra step before getting a dental implant. Here’s why you might need a dental bone graft.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Michael Nichols performs bone grafting at Oral & Facial Surgery of Mississippi. He offers different types of bone grafting depending on your needs. Bone grafts can restore both appearance and functionality, helping patients lead a better life.
A bone graft is a procedure that replaces missing bone and promotes new bone growth, frequently performed in advance of placing a dental implant. Dr. Nichols uses several types of bone grafts, including:
The type Dr. Nichols recommends depends on several factors, including your particular condition, the desired outcome, and your overall health. In some cases, bone grafting requires multiple procedures.
Here are five common situations where a dental bone graft may be necessary.
When you lose a tooth, you lose the crown — the part you can see — and the root. With a healthy tooth, the roots stimulate your jawbone each time you bite down. That stimulation increases blood flow to your jawbone, keeping it healthy.
A missing root results in less blood flow to your jawbone; over time, the bone can break down and be reabsorbed by your body. That means there’s not enough strong bone to place a dental implant.
All bones weaken over time, and for some people, their bone tissue becomes thin and brittle, a condition called osteoporosis. The older you are, the more likely you are to lose bone density in your jawbone.
Gum disease is the No. 1 cause of tooth loss. If you’ve had gum disease for some time, there’s a strong chance it has damaged your jawbone.
Some cancer treatments weaken bones, and the type of treatment you had and the area treated could’ve affected your dental health and the integrity of your jawbone. Major infections and jaw trauma can have a similar effect on your jawbone health.
As your jawbone breaks down and your body reabsorbs the bone, your face slowly changes shape. If you notice that your jaw no longer looks like it once did, you may need a dental bone graft to restore your jawbone.
Dr. Nichols can provide detailed and specific guidance on bone grafting and dental implants based on your situation. To schedule an appointment, call our Flowood, Mississippi, office today.
