Do They Bone Graft for Teeth?
While dental bone grafting fort worth tx may sound like some revolutionary breakthrough in medical science, the technique has been used for more than a hundred years and has several medical applications including dental bone grafts. Patients with missing teeth, gum or jawbone issues may be candidates for dental bone grafting as a way to restore dental health. Though it may sound intimidating, a dental bone graft procedure is relatively minor. To help minimize patient anxiety, this article will briefly examine the procedure and its applications for restoring jawbone damage associated with missing teeth.
What Are Dental Bone Grafts?
At its basic level, a dental bone graft involves transplanting bone tissue into deficient areas of the patient’s natural jawbone. To place a dental bone graft, the dentist first makes an incision to expose the jawbone. Then, human, animal, or synthetic bone material is grafted in place. Through a natural fusing process, the bone creates new cells around the grafted material creating a stronger foundation.
Bone is more malleable than people realize and the body regularly creates new bone cells while shedding old ones. Usually, these changes are beneficial but in certain cases, the patient can wind up with insufficient bone in the jaw necessitating the bone graft.
Why Are Bone Grafts Useful for Gum Disease and Missing Teeth?
There are several reasons why an adult could need a dental bone graft, but gum disease and a lost tooth are the most common. When an adult tooth is lost or gum disease advances, the surrounding bone begins to disappear. While the loss of bone from a single missing tooth may be unnoticeable, bone loss from multiple lost teeth or advanced gum disease often affects the way the face looks. Sagging may occur because there is insufficient bone remaining to support the facial features. Should the bone continue to deteriorate, additional teeth may be lost further affecting appearance and functionality. Fortunately, dental bone grafting can help restore appearances and functionality. The procedure also provides a solid foundation on which replacement teeth can be mounted (dental implants).
Types of Dental Bone Grafts
Depending on the extent of damage to the patient’s jawbone, the dentist may recommend one of the following types of bone grafts:
- Socket Graft: The most common type of dental bone graft, socket grafts can be performed in conjunction with a tooth extraction to prevent bone loss. Because the socket graft will prevent the body from reabsorbing the bone near the missing tooth, the jaw will be ready to support a dental implant.
- Block Bone Graft: Ideal option for patients with significant bone loss that needs to be corrected. With this type of graft, the dentist removes a block of bone from the back of the jawbone (near the wisdom teeth) and secures it in place with titanium screws.
- Sinus Lift: When patients lose some of their upper molars, part of the sinus can reach down, filling the gaps left by the teeth. Sinus lifts restore the sinus to proper position and repair the gap with a bone graft.