Bone Loss and Dental Implants
Phoenix, AZ
When you lose your teeth, replacing them is essential for restoring the functions of your teeth, your smile, and your quality of life. Dental implants are a popular treatment that offers numerous benefits over traditional treatments. This particular treatment also requires a surgical procedure to place the implants. A major factor in the success of your dental implants is the condition of your jawbone. To undergo implant surgery, you need to have enough bone mass remaining in your jaw. However, after tooth loss, your bone begins to weaken and resorb. If you do not have enough bone mass for dental implants, Implant and Periodontal Wellness Center of Arizona can make implants possible with bone grafting.
The Role of Your Jawbone in Dental Implant Success
Dental implants are implanted directly into your jawbone. They rely on the bone for success. As you heal, your bone fuses to the posts. This process, called osseointegration, stabilizes the posts in your jaw, turning them into secure roots that are then used to support your new teeth. If you do not have sufficient bone mass, the bone cannot properly fuse. This can lead to loose implants. The implants may even fail to integrate altogether.
What is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that is designed to replace missing bone mass in your jaw. This can be done using bone from elsewhere in your own body or bone from a compatible donor. After your procedure, your natural bone gradually fuses to, or around, the grafting material, restoring the strength and shape to your jaw.
Bone Grafting Options
There are a few types of bone grafts available. During your initial consultation, we will go over your options to determine the best options for your needs:
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Autogenous. This is a graft that uses bone from your own body. While it requires two surgical sites, you do not have to worry about the potential risk of infection.
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Allogenic. Bone material is taken from a compatible cadaver. This type of graft uses only one surgical site. The bone is screened thoroughly to reduce the risk of disease transmission and other complications.
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Xenogenic. This uses bone material from a different species, such as a cow or pig. Like allogenic grafting, a xenogenic graft only requires one surgical site. The bone is highly processed to prevent the risk of disease transmission.
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Synthetic grafting materials like demineralized bone matrix and bone morphogenic proteins. |
How is a Bone Graft Done?
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure. It is done under local anesthetic and sedation. We begin with small incisions in your gums to expose the weakened areas of your jawbone underneath. If we are performing an autogenous bone graft, we make an incision in the donor site and extract the necessary bone mass. The donor's bone is placed into the weak areas of your jaw, and your surgical wounds are sutured closed. Once you have fully healed from your bone graft, a process that can take several months, the dental implant process can begin.
Bone grafting restores missing bone mass, making dental implants possible. For more information, call Implant and Periodontal Wellness Center of Arizona today at (480) 504-0506.
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