Schrott Perio Implants performs simple and complex bone grafting procedures in Belmont, MA. For more information or to schedule an appointment for a consultation, please call our office at 617-484-9240.
What Is Bone Grafting?
Dental bone grafting is a standard surgical procedure involving placing ground bone material in weakened areas of the jawbone. The body uses the introduced bone matrix as a scaffold to regenerate itself.
Bone grafting becomes necessary when a tooth has been missing for some time, resulting in a lack of chewing stimulation to the jawbone. Grafting can also help to repair areas where the bone has become atrophied due to periodontal disease or infections.
The Bone Grafting Procedure
Bone grafting is a routine procedure performed under local anesthesia with optional sedation.
First, the periodontist opens the gum to access the jawbone. Ground bone material is then placed in the area of the missing bone. The sterilized material usually comes from a donor tissue bank (allografts) or a bovine source (xenografts). Growth factors may be added for improved healing.
The periodontist then covers the bone graft with a porcine collagen membrane to promote healing and protect the bone graft. The gum is then sutured closed.
During the healing process, the patient’s natural bone uses the bone graft as a scaffold to grow around it and ultimately replace the bone graft with native stable bone.
Types of Bone Grafting Offered
Ridge Augmentation
Ridge augmentation is a procedure that restores the natural shape of the jaw bone using bone grafting. The procedure often becomes necessary when the patient wants dental implants but has lost bone mass in the jaw area due to infection, gum disease or the prolonged absence of teeth.
Ridge Preservation
Ridge preservation is a preventive procedure performed simultaneously with a tooth extraction. This procedure involves applying a bone graft in the area where the periodontist extracted the tooth. Ridge preservation prevents future bone loss and provides a strong foundation for future dental implants.
Sinus Lift
Upper back teeth tend to be close to the maxillary sinus cavity. When a patient wants dental implants to replace upper back molars, sometimes there is insufficient jawbone to place the implant without impinging on the sinus cavity. In this case, the periodontist must perform a sinus lift (sinus floor elevation).
During a sinus lift, the periodontist gently moves the sinus membrane upward and places a bone graft beneath it, encouraging the bone to grow and creating enough bone for a dental implant.
Benefits of Bone Grafting
Allows Placement of Dental Implants
Most patients receive bone grafts because they have insufficient jawbone mass to support a dental implant. The procedure is highly effective in this situation. Dental implants can significantly improve the ability to eat, a patient’s self-esteem and the quality of life.
Improves Appearance
When teeth are lost and the jawbone begins to atrophy, the patient’s face may take on a sunken look typical of aging. Bone grafting and the placement of dental implants can treat this problem and make patient’s look younger.
Are You a Good Candidate for Bone Grafting?
Most people who have lost teeth and want dental implants are candidates for bone grafting. People who have experienced gum disease can also receive this surgery to reverse bone loss around their natural teeth.
Uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking and poor homecare are important risk factors and will increase the chances for complications.
Why Choose Schrott Perio Implants?
Our office routinely performs the most complex bone grafting procedures.
Dr. Schrott has been performing bone grafting procedures since 2003. As a specialist other dentists refer the most complicated cases to him on a daily basis. Complex is our routine.
We have a compassionate, non-judgmental staff who will help you achieve optimal dental health. We offer a modern, friendly atmosphere with state-of-the-art equipment and techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Grafting
How long does it take to recover from a bone graft?
Depending on the type of bone graft it takes a week or two to recover from this surgery. You will experience mild to moderate discomfort for the first week, which can be controlled with over the counter pain medication.
You will have to eat soft foods such as fish, pasta, or soft cooked vegetables for six weeks and avoid hard or crunchy food such as chips, nuts or popcorn.
Swelling and bruising are common for the first week or two.
Where does the bone material come from?
The bone material used in a graft could come from three different sources:
- Human bone from a donor bank.
- The patient’s bone taken from the area of the surgery. Rarely, a second surgical site is needed to harvest additional bone.
- Bovine bone (bone from the cow).
These materials are sterilized and safe to use.
How long must I wait before placing an implant if I receive a bone graft?
The waiting time before a dental implant can be placed varies depending on the type of bone graft you need and the amount of bone that is grafted. It can take between three and nine months to heal.
Often a bone graft can be placed at the time of implant placement, which will not require any additional time for healing.
Call Schrott Perio Implants
You may be an excellent candidate for bone graft surgery if you have missing teeth or gum disease. If you want a dental implant but have been missing a tooth for an extended period, we can help. Call our Belmont, MA office at 617-484-9420 for a consultation appointment to discuss your options.