Various factors can cause bone loss, including periodontal disease, facial trauma, and poor-fitting dentures. A bone grafting procedure is done to restore lost bone tissue and encourage the growth of natural bone. Before you visit a dental practice in Glen Oaks, NY, for bone grafting, here are some things to know.
Types of dental bone grafts
There are several types of dental bone grafts, but these are the most common ones –
- Autogenous bone graft: The procedure involves removing bone from another part of the body and implanting the same in the mouth. Your dentist may choose donor sites as necessary, but the chin and iliac sections of the pelvis are the most common. If more bone is required, the hip could be considered.
- Allograft: The procedure involves using synthetic bone made in a lab for bone grafting. In some cases, bone can be procured from a bone bank.
- Xenograft: Xenograft involves using bovine bone for grafting. The procedure is just as safe and avoids the need for a donor site.
“Why do I need a bone graft?”
That’s a common question that patients ask. If you are missing a few teeth and want to consider dental implants, your dentist will check whether you have lost bone mass. The implants require a healthy jawbone, and bone grafting is the best way to address the concerns. A bone graft will help strengthen the implant site. In some cases, a patient may need bone grafting for a sinus lift. If someone has ridges in the bone due to trauma or severe gum disease, bone grafting is used to fill these ridges.
What is the procedure like?
Your dentist will use local anesthesia for bone grafting. If large amounts of bone need grafting, general anesthesia could be necessary. The first step is to prepare the grafting material. Following this, an incision is made in the gum tissues. The bone grafting material is then placed in the required site. Depending on the needs of the case, a dentist may have to consider additional options like bone tissue regeneration, tissue-stimulating proteins, and platelet-rich growth factors.
Will it pain?
No, there is no pain in bone grafting, although you may experience discomfort and other side effects after the effects of anesthesia wear off.
Talk to your dentist to know whether you should worry about other risks, and they will do a detailed exam to determine if you are an ideal candidate for bone grafting.
