A dental bone graft adds volume and density to your jaw, where bone loss has occurred. The bone graft material can be taken from your own body (autogenous), purchased from a human tissue bank (allograft), or obtained from an animal tissue bank (xenograft). In some cases, synthetic bone graft material (alloplast) may be used.
How does Dental bone Graft work?
Once the bone graft has been placed, it holds space for your own body to do the repair work. In other words, a dental bone graft is like a scaffold on which your own bone tissue can grow and regenerate.
In some cases, your dental provider may combine a dental bone graft with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This is taken from a sample of your own blood and is used to promote healing and tissue regeneration.
Who Needs A Dental Bone Graft?
A person with bone loss in their jaw usually needs a dental bone graft. This procedure may be recommended if you:
- Are having a tooth extracted.
- Plan to replace a missing tooth with a dental implant.
- Need to rebuild the jaw before getting dentures.
- Have areas of bone loss due to gum (periodontal) disease.
Are There Different Kinds of Bone Graft?
Yes. There are four main types, including:
- Socket preservation: Immediately after tooth extraction, a socket preservation graft is placed in the socket to fill the void and prevent the sides from caving in.
- Ridge augmentation: If teeth have been missing for a while, the jawbone may become thinner. Ridge augmentation increases the width and volume of the jawbone to provide a stable foundation for implants or other restorative options.
- Sinus lift: The maxillary sinuses sit above the upper back teeth. If upper back teeth are missing, the sinuses can drop down and invade the space where the tooth roots were. This prevents implant placement because the implant would penetrate the sinus membrane. To address this, an oral surgeon or periodontist can perform a sinus lift to raise the sinus back to its proper position. A dental bone graft is then placed underneath the sinus to create a solid foundation for dental implants later.
- Periodontal bone graft: Gum disease infection can erode the bone that supports teeth, causing them to become loose. A periodontal bone graft is placed around an existing tooth to reduce mobility and provide additional support.
- Bone grafts for dental implants: In most cases, bone grafts must heal completely before the implant can be placed. Recovery times vary because each person is unique. In rare cases, a dentist may be able to place a bone graft and implant at the same time, but this is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Post-operative Instructions for a Bone Graft:
To ensure proper healing after a dental bone graft, follow these care instructions:
- Here is a version of your text with more transition words, active voice, and conciseness:
- Immediately after your procedure, follow your doctor’s recovery instructions for the type of anesthetic used.
- It’s normal for some small granules to come out of the graft site and into your mouth for the first several days.
- Even if symptoms and signs of infection are no longer present, take all prescribed antibiotics for the indicated amount of time.
- Your doctor may apply a protective surgical dressing. Do not remove it yourself.
- If you experience minor bleeding the day of surgery, place gauze over the area and apply gentle pressure until the bleeding stops.
When Should I Contact My Health Care Provider?
If youâve had a dental bone graft placed, keep an eye out for troubling symptoms. Call your dentist if you experience:
- Severe pain.
- Increased swelling.
- Pus around the grafting site.
- A fever of 101° or higher.
If you have any questions or concerns about teeth whitening after a dental bone graft, be sure to talk to your dentist. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you with your dental needs. https://calendly.com/sbenatidentistry/interview
For more videos:
