A dental bone transplant is a surgery that increases the quantity of bone in a portion of the jaw that has lost bone or requires additional support. Bone can be extracted from other parts of the body and surgically joined to the jaw’s existing bone. Synthetic bone material is sometimes used. If additional operations, such as dental implants, are required, or if bone loss is harming the health of adjacent gums and teeth, a dental bone graft may be required.
What is a dental bone graft?
Dental bone grafting in Simcoe ON can be done in a variety of methods, but the essential operation is the same: a ON dentist or oral surgeon makes an incision in the jaw and grafts (attaches) additional bone material to it. When a person has lost one or more adult teeth or has gum disease, a dental bone graft is frequently performed. Both of these disorders can result in jaw bone loss. The use of your own bone from the hip, tibia, or rear of the jaw is the preferred method for dental bone grafting. This is referred to as an autograft. Autografts are considered the “gold standard” because they improve jaw bony stability and encourage quicker healing and new bone growth.
Who’s a good candidate for a dental bone graft?
- Missing teeth – Dental bone grafts are commonly used by people who are getting implants to replace missing teeth. Dental implants are screw-shaped artificial roots that are inserted into the jawbone. The implant is subsequently covered with a crown that resembles the surrounding teeth.
- Gum disease or tooth loss – Dental bone grafting may be required even if you are not getting an implant to maintain a portion of the jaw that has lost bone due to tooth loss or gum disease. Bone loss can cause adjacent teeth and gum tissue to deteriorate. A bone graft can help avoid more bone loss and the long-term health issues that occur with it by stabilizing the jaw.
Is a dental bone graft painful?
A dental bone graft that does not require bone from the patient’s own body is a reasonably simple surgery. Because you’ll be sedated throughout the surgery, you won’t feel any discomfort until the anesthetic wears off. The pain is usually acceptable for the next few days with over-the-counter pain medicines. Prescription-strength pain relievers may also be useful. You may suffer some soreness for several weeks throughout rehabilitation, depending on how much work is done. Because the amount of bone extracted and grafted is usually relatively modest, the discomfort should be minimal.
What should I do to get ready for a dental bone graft?
Depending on the type of anesthesia you’ll have, don’t eat or drink anything for 8 to 12 hours before the treatment. Consult your doctor about any medications you’re taking, particularly blood thinners, as they can increase the risk of bleeding issues after surgery.
Make plans to return home following the surgery because you will be tired.
How is the dental bone graft procedure done?
The procedure for a conventional dental bone graft is as follows:
Before the procedure, you’ll be given an anesthetic, and your vital signs will be monitored throughout.
- The damaged region will be cleaned by the dental technician.
- Your surgeon will detach the gum from the bone where the graft will be put by making an incision in the gum.
- The bone material will be placed between two portions of bone that must grow together.
- A dissolvable adhesive substance or membrane, as well as specific screws, are used to secure the bone graft.
- After that, the incision is closed up to start the healing process.
What’s the recovery and aftercare like for a dental bone graft?
You’ll probably leave the dentist’s office with gauze wrapped around the incision in your mouth after a dental bone graft. You should be given instructions for changing the bandage every 24 hours as well as an antibiotic prescription to help prevent infection. A prescription for pain medications may also be issued.
Other suggestions for postoperative care include:
- For the first day or two, administer cold packs to assist minimize pain and swelling.
- For the first few days, eat soft, bland foods.
- The first night or two, sleep with your head slightly up to avoid blood from accumulating at the incision site.
You should avoid the following throughout your early healing period:
- coffee or soup are examples of hot liquids.
- Nuts and other hard or crunchy foods
- any physical activity that puts the incision at risk, such as contact sports
If you want to know more about bone grafting for dental implants, call us at 519-426-2273 to book an appointment.
