Dental Implants: When is a Bone Graft Recommended?

Team Bone Grafts, Dental Implants

Whether you have been missing teeth for several years or need to have a tooth extracted, when considering replacing missing teeth with dental implants it is imperative to have a bone graft.

Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies. This often leaves the jawbone unsuitable for the placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for placement of dental implants.

Today, we have the ability to grow bone where needed. This gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width while restoring the patient’s functionality and esthetic appearance.

What Is Socket Grafting?

The bone which surrounds the tooth socket deteriorates very quickly once a tooth is removed. If a socket continues to be empty after tooth loss, the accelerated bone loss can impact adjacent teeth, and prevent placement of a dental implant later on. Socket grafting or ridge preservation is a procedure in which we can rebuild or preserve the bone in order to place a dental implant in the future. The bone graft material acts as a scaffold for new bone formation. This usually takes 3 to 4 months.

Types Of Bone Graft Material

Autogenous Bone Graft – Bone is harvested from one area of the body and transferred to another.

Allograft Bone Graft – Bone material is from human donor bone (cadaver). This bone material undergoes many different treatments sequences in order to render it safe for transplant.

Xenograft – Bone material is bovine.

Alloplast – Bone material is synthetic.

If you suffer from compromised strength in your jawbone or are exploring whether you are a suitable candidate for dental implants, Dr. Mohammed Erakat will evaluate the current health of your mouth and evaluate the areas of concern or need. Call Prestige Oral Surgery today at 609-616-3004.