Why Might I Need To Undergo Bone Grafting?
Drs. Dean and Renee Glasser of Implant and General Dentistry of Long Island in Melville, NY, work with individuals in the community who are in need of restorations such as dental implants. While dental implants are a great way to replace one or more teeth, they do require patients to have sufficient bone in the jaw. With the help of our team, we can determine if you are a proper candidate for dental implants or if you might need certain procedures beforehand to prepare the smile for these restorations. A common recommendation is that of bone grafting, which can be done right in our office without a referral to an oral surgeon. If you believe bone grafting might be appropriate for you, now is a great time to ask our team about the procedure.
What Is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a specific surgical procedure that replaces missing bone in order to restore strength and stability to your skeletal structure. Bone grafting can be used to help repair fractured bones, replace joints, or reconstruct parts of the face, jawbone, or skull. It is also used for dental implants and sinus lift procedures.
Why Might I Need Bone Grafting With My Dentist?
Your dentist may recommend bone grafting to help prepare your jawbone for dental implant surgery. If you have lost teeth or if the jawbone has deteriorated due to gum disease or age, it may not be strong enough to hold a dental implant in place. Bone grafting will help provide increased support for the implants and allow them to be placed successfully.
What Can I Expect From My Bone Grafting Procedure?
The most common type of bone grafting uses pieces of transplanted bone from another part of the body or from a donor. Synthetic material or animal-sourced tissue may also be used as part of a bone grafting procedure. During a bone grafting procedure, the surgeon will take a piece of healthy bone from one area and transplant it into the damaged area where new bone needs to grow. To ensure proper healing, you should follow your oral surgeon's instructions regarding post-operative care to reduce the risk of infection and other complications.
