Things to Ask About a Dental Bone Graft

A dentist will recommend a dental bone graft to replace the bone loss in the jaw if they believe the patient does not have enough bone density to support a dental implant. Bone grafting is also used if surgical procedures like a sinus or a ridge augmentation require bone growth.

Frequently asked questions about dental bone grafts

A dental bone graft is not something a lot of people are familiar with, which leads to them not knowing what type of questions to ask their dentist. For those who have to undergo the procedure, some of the most important questions to ask the dentist include:

What is a dental bone graft?

A dental bone graft is a surgical procedure that is used to repair or rebuild bones by transplanting healthy bone tissue from one part of the body to another. By transplanting the healthy bone tissue, the dentist can recreate the bone and supporting tissues that are missing.

Why do I need a dental bone graft?

A dentist will recommend a bone graft to a patient that is trying to replace their missing teeth with dental implants but does not have enough healthy bone tissue to support the implant. Bone grafts are usually necessary if the missing teeth have been lost for a while because the jawbone loses density every day the tooth is missing.

What does tooth loss have to do with bone loss?

The alveolar bone is a bone in the jaw that supports and holds up the teeth. When a patient loses a tooth, the alveolar bone starts to disintegrate because it is no longer being stimulated by the tooth roots. Since the jawbone is strengthened by chewing, the loss of the alveolar bone can lead to jawbone loss as well.

Since dental implants act as tooth roots, they stimulate the bone and increase its density. If the missing tooth has not been replaced for some time, the jawbone would have disintegrated, preventing the implant from bonding with the bone to hold it in place, which makes it likely that the implant will fail.

Are dental bone grafts painful?

No, dental bone grafts are not painful because the dentist will sedate the patient before the procedure, which prevents them from feeling pain. The healing process is also considered to be painless, and once the graft is fully healed, the patient can undergo dental implant surgery. The dentist will give the patient some antibiotics to prevent infection and some pain medication if the patient experiences pain after the procedure.

How long do dental bone grafts take?

Most bone graft surgeries are usually completed within an hour if there are no other procedures performed. However, dental implant surgery will take a longer period of time depending on how many implants are being placed in the patient’s mouth.

Conclusion

A dental bone graft might be needed if you want to get dental implants and do not have enough healthy bone tissue to support the implants. If you are considering getting dental implants to replace your missing teeth, ask your dentist if you will need to get a bone graft before getting the dental implants.

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