1. What is dental bone grafting?
Dental bone grafting is a restorative procedure used to replace missing bone from a patient’s jaw. The bone graft may be made from natural bone from the patient’s body; this is considered the most compatible, least risky material. Oral surgeons, like Dr. Chris Tye, may also use a synthetic material, such as animal bone or a synthetically engineered material.
2. When is dental bone grafting needed?
Dental bone grafting may be needed for a variety of reasons, including:
Trauma
Trauma can happen from accidents or even minor events (such as banging a utensil against your tooth). Tooth trauma can manifest differently in each patient, but often times bone loss is a result of this event.
Infection
Infection is primarily seen in teeth that require extraction. Sometimes the decay and infection are so severe in a tooth that it can not be saved. In this case, it is common to see bone loss caused by aggressive infection.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is caused by a bacteria that resides below the gum line, one of the primary symptoms of this condition is bone loss.
Ridge Preservation
Ridge preservation is often used for minor to moderate bone loss. Using dental bone grafting material, Dr. Tye can preserve the structure of a patient jaw line which ultimately affects not just one area but a patient’s entire oral environment.
3. What are the benefits of dental bone grafting?
The ultimate benefit of dental bone grafting is ridge preservation, which provides many benefits for the patient.
Improved Jaw Structure
A patient’s jaw structure has a significant physical impact on other parts of the body. Bone grafting has been used in a variety of creative ways including procedures for sinus lifts, which can raise the sinus floor up or down. This restores upper jaw stability while placing the sinus back where it belongs.
Patients who have this procedure done often experience significant relief from sinus blockage and draining. A healthy jaw structure can also create a more youthful appearance and change a patient’s silhouette profile by creating a lift and fullness. Bone loss is often noted by a collapsed structure which in turn causes other conditions like sagging and hollow skin.
Healthy Oral Environment
Bone loss impacts a patient’s entire oral environment. When bone loss happens in one area, the tendency is to create a strain on surrounding areas often compromising a patient’s overall oral health.
In the case of periodontal disease, this type of bacteria spreads quickly and can be very aggressive, especially in areas that are already compromised structurally. Dental bone grafting protects and promotes a healthy structure for natural teeth and dental prostheses.
Prosthesis
Dental bone grafting allows for the placement of dental prostheses such as dental implants, which replace one or more missing teeth in an arch. Dental implants require adequate and healthy bone, so dental bone grafting may be used with implant placement to promote fusion with the bone and encourage healing in this area.
Interested in learning more?
Contact Dr. Tye today to learn more about this procedure and other oral surgery services that can greatly benefit your oral health. Call the office today at 817-552-3223!
