Here’s All You Should Know About Bone Grafting In Dentistry

A dentist’s office doesn’t sound like the place to go for bone grafting near you. The phrase sounds like a process that will need the expertise of an orthopedic surgeon. However, that’s not the case. Bone grafting is done as an outpatient procedure under sedation in a dentist’s office. Bone grafting in Pearland is also one of the processes you are likely to undergo before you get a dental implant. Both procedures often work together. Let’s see all there is to bone grafting in Pearland, TX.

Bone grafting is a type of surgery performed to repair or rebuild bones via the transplantation of healthy bone tissue. For dental implants, the transplant is made to the site where a tooth will be implanted. It is done because a person does not have enough healthy bone in their mouth to support a dental implant. Naturally, bone loss happens every day after a tooth is lost. This is because the bone in that region performs one major function – to support the tooth. In the absence of the tooth, the bone starts to atrophy. Lack of healthy bone is also caused by developmental defects, gum disease, and face injury or trauma.

Many people who need dental implants will also need bone grafting near you. But you never know until you’re assessed by a dentist. Dental implants hold fast because the bone heals around them. Without enough bone, they’re not as solid as they normally are.

What’s The Process Like?

There are different types of bone graft. Your dentist will determine the right one for you based on the extent of bone loss and the location of the lost tooth. Socket grafts are the most common type used by dentists. A socket graft involves placing healthy bone from a human donor into the socket. This prevents the atrophy of alveolar bone(the kind of bone that supports a tooth). Doing this prevents the collapse of the socket and loss of bone. After a socket graft, a person can get their implant in 4-6 months. One advantage getting a socket graft has is that post-operative pain from implant surgery is less.

Block bone grafts are used when there are large defects in the jawbone that need filling. A small block of bone is harvested from the jaw bone and implanted into the site being prepared for an implant. The block is held in place using titanium screws.

A lateral ridge preservation graft is done to widen the jawbone so that it allows for a dental implant. Human donor bones are used here too.

The sinus lift graft is done with equine bone. It is done for implants involving the upper jaw when the jaw cannot hold the implant. Equine bone is used because it is microscopically similar to human bone and doesn’t dissolve as quickly as human bone. Sometimes, it is added to human donor bone for the graft. The graft creates a stage for more bone growth in the sinus.

Are Bone Grafts Painful?

A bone graft does sound like something that would involve a great deal of pain. In reality, it is not painful at all. You will be sedated for the process so expect no pain. After the procedure, the bone healing should cause no pain too. Therefore, feel at ease and remember that the procedure is a step towards the replacement of your lost tooth.

After bone grafting, healing starts. You will be given antibiotics to prevent infection of the site. You may also. get some pain meds if you feel some pain after the procedure. However, this is not the usual thing. Most people do just fine with antibiotics. Healing involves the fusion of the graft with bone in your mouth and will take time. That can require three months to one year depending on the individual. All you need to do is go in for regular checkups with your dentist who will decide when the time is right for an implant.