What Dental Patients Need To Know About Bone Grafts For Dental Implants
A bone graft may add another step in your dental implant process. However, the quality of the jawbone is the key to the implant's success. To learn more about this extra step before your implant is performed, read on.
Why Your Bones Matter
Dental implant surgery requires that your dentist insert the post of the implant into your jawbone that lies just beneath your gums. Your jawbone must be strong enough to stand the drilling of the bone for the implant to be placed. Further, weak jawbones may not hold on to the post of the implant and it can fail. That is why your dentist will do some diagnostic scans to evaluate your bones before the implant surgery. In some cases, you must have bone grafting before you get your implants.
What to Know About Bone Grafts
You can get ready for the bone grafting surgery by reading the below facts:
- Grafting surgery is an outpatient procedure taking a few hours to complete. It will be performed by a surgeon and not your dentist.
- You have a choice, in most cases, in the type of material used to create the graft. Many people choose to use their own bone material for the graft. The material is removed using a minor procedure. However, some people chose to use synthetic bone material instead. Discuss this with your surgeon.
- You will be completely anesthetized during the procedure. In most cases, that means intravenous medication, but your surgeon will speak with you about it before the surgery. You should not feel any discomfort, however.
- Your bone graft takes place via your gums just as the implant procedure will. A small incision is made to access the bone and the material is inserted.
- After the surgery, you may notice some bruising to your face and jaw area. Your dentist may prescribe some pain medicine for any discomfort. You can expect some discomfort in your gums and jaw area for a few days and your appetite may wane temporarily. However, this surgery has been performed for a long time and complications are rare.
- For many, the most difficult part of the bone graft process is waiting for the graft to grow and become part of your jawbone. The surgery site must be healed and that can take several months. However, once healed, you can now move forward with your dental implant plans.
Find out more about bone grafts for dental implant procedures by speaking with your dentist.