Also known as bone augmentation, dental bone graft is a common and well-known treatment, especially for patients looking to receive a dental implant(s) or whose bone loss has caused deterioration of their gums and dental health. However, what is a dental bone graft, and how is the procedure performed? Many people do not know what bone augmentation is until their dentist recommends this treatment to them or their loved ones.
If your dentist has recommended a bone graft or you are just curious what this dentistry procedure entails, you are in the right place. Read on for everything you need to know about dental bone augmentation, including its benefits, what the procedure entails, what to expect during the treatment, and how to accelerate the healing process.
Dental Bone Graft at a Glance
A dental bone graft is a surgical procedure that your dentist uses to reverse bone loss in your jaw by increasing its density and volume. The main reason why a dentist performs this procedure on a patient is to stimulate the growth of a new healthy bone or provide necessary support where severe bone loss has occurred, either due to severe gum disease or the loss of an adult tooth.
In other words, you should think of it as a scaffold that allows your bone tissue to grow and repair itself.
Common Sources of Bone Graft Materials for Your Dental Work
The bone graft materials your dental surgeon will use to perform this process can be from various sources, each with its advantages. Below are different types of bone graft materials your dental surgeon could recommend:
Autograft
The material your dental surgeon or dentist will use to perform your dental bone graft procedure will come from your body, often extracted from the hip, chin, or jaw.
Allografts
The bone your dental surgeon will use for your dental bone grafting procedure is extracted from another person's body (compatible donor). The dentist can source these tissues from human donors, after which they are thoroughly screened and sterilized to ensure they are compatible with your bone.
Xenografts
A xenograft is an animal-obtained bone that your dentist purchases from an animal tissue bank. Pig bone (porcine) or cow bone (bovine) is the most preferred source of xenografts for dental bone grafts.
Synthetic Grafts
As the name suggests, the grafts come from synthetic materials, like calcium phosphate. Also known as alloplast, your dentist or dental surgeon could recommend synthetic grafts in some cases to promote bone growth in your jaw.
Generally speaking, autografts are the most preferred approach for bone grafts in dentistry because they carry your cells and can promote quicker integration and healing. However, the best option for you will depend on your unique circumstances, including the severity of the bone loss, health condition, and specific requirements of the recommended dental implant surgery.
Indications That You Could Be an Excellent Candidate for the Dental Augmentation Procedure
Dental bone graft is not a treatment for every patient with a dental or oral health issue. You would be an excellent candidate for this type of oral surgery if:
You Have Missing Teeth, and a Dental Implant is Necessary
One of the common reasons why most people require bone augmentation is to create a strong foundation for dental implants. If you want to replace your missing teeth to improve your chewing functions and enhance your smile appearance, dental implants could be necessary.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root shaped like a screw that a dentist places on your jawbone to help provide anchorage to an artificial tooth or dental crown. Fortunately, an artificial tooth resembles the color of the surrounding teeth to improve your smile aesthetics and restore your chewing functions. If your jawbone is not strong enough due to reduced bone density and volume, your dentist could recommend a bone graft to strengthen it before placing a dental implant on it.
A dental implant is necessary in most cases where a patient has one or more missing teeth. According to a 2016 study, about half of 800 patients who received dental implants required a bone grafting before the procedure.
You Have a Lost Tooth or Severe Gum Disease
Even if a dental implant is unnecessary, the loss of an adult tooth could degrade the underlying bone structure, necessitating a bone graft for support and to increase its strength. Severe gum disease is also another cause of bone degradation and bone loss. Stabilizing the affected bone using a bone graft could help halt more bone loss and other long-term consequences caused by this issue.
Your Facial Appearance is Affected by the Bone Loss
In addition to affecting your dental and oral health, severe bone loss could cause significant changes to your facial appearance. For example, when the jawbone loses mass, your lower jawbone could protrude and cause your face to appear shorter. If you do not have a healthy jawbone structure, your lips and the muscles that surround them could also change their appearance.
While older adults are more prone to bone loss, especially in the jaws, any person, regardless of age, could experience this issue due to jaw injuries, health problems, or poor dental health.
You Have a Jawbone Damaged by Injury or Trauma
Dental grafts could be necessary if you have a jawbone damaged by trauma or injury from an accident. Bone grafts are necessary to restore the jawbone's functionality and accelerate the healing process.
Since not every person is an excellent candidate for dental bone grafts, when you schedule an appointment with a dentist, he/she will conduct a thorough examination using imaging techniques, like CT scans or X-rays, to determine whether a bone graft would help in your unique situation.
How to Prepare for the Scheduled Dental Bone Augmentation Procedure
Generally speaking, you do not have to do a lot to prepare yourself for the scheduled bone augmentation procedure. However, there are a few steps you should take to ensure the procedure is successful and prevent any possible complications. For example, your dentist could require you to do the following:
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Avoid drinking or eating anything at least eight to twelve hours prior to the treatment. However, this will depend on the specific type of anesthesia the dentist will recommend to ease discomfort during the procedure
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Arrange transportation home, as lingering anesthesia effects may impair your ability to drive safely
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Inform your dentist about any medications you are taking, including blood thinners, as they may increase bleeding risks during and after the procedure
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Plan to take time off work or school, as the procedure may temporarily affect your ability to perform daily activities
What to Expect During Your Dental Bone Augmentation Procedure
A bone augmentation is a minor surgical procedure that will take about forty to ninety minutes to complete, depending on the severity of your unique issue. Here is an overview of the steps to expect during this procedure:
Application of Anesthesia
In many cases, anesthesia will be necessary to numb the skin around the incision site and reduce any possible discomfort. If you have anxiety issues and need a higher state of relaxation during the procedure, the dentist or dental surgeon could recommend sedatives.
Cleaning of the Incision Site
Before the dentist or dental surgeon commences with the procedure, he/she or a dental hygienist will clean the incision site to lessen the chances of infection during the procedure.
Making of the Incision
The dental surgeon or dentist will make an incision through your gums to expose the affected jaw, where he/she will place the grafts. The size of the incision will depend on the severity of your bone loss or unique dental issue necessitating the bone graft.
Placement of the Grafting Materials
After the dentist gains access to the affected bone through an incision, he/she will put the bone graft or material under your gum. Then he/she will reinforce the bone materials using screws and special dissolvable materials or membranes.
Sewing of the Incision
Once your bone graft is in place and reinforced, the dentist will sew the incision on your skin and allow it to heal.
Fortunately, the dentist can complete the surgical placement of your graft to the affected jaw with a single dental appointment. However, he/she could require you to schedule more appointments for follow-up on your healing process.
Benefits of a Bone Augmentation Procedure
The dentist or dental surgeon will recommend dental bone graft surgery only when it is necessary for your oral or dental health and general wellness. Therefore, you should not consider it a waste of your time or money because it has numerous benefits, such as:
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It Helps Restore Your Bone Structure
A dental bone graft can help restore your weakened bone structure to improve its strength and restore its functions. It also helps you avoid any further orthodontic treatments or dental procedures.
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It Helps Improve Your Dental Aesthetics and Facial Appearance
Certain facial bones are essential to your overall look. Fortunately, if the issue is due to bone loss, your dentist can help reverse the problem using bone grafts to boost your appearance and confidence.
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It Helps Support and Improve Other Dental Procedures
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, you need a firm jaw to receive a dental implant. If your jawbone is weak due to bone loss or facial trauma, your dentist could recommend dental bone graft surgery to restore its strength before the placement of the dental implant.
The density and healthiness of your mouth's bone structure also help enhance the functionality and durability of certain dental appliances like crowns, dentures, and bridges.
Tips on How to Expedite the Healing Process After a Dental Bone Augmentation Procedure
After the dental bone augmentation procedure, the dental surgeon will give you some instructions that can help accelerate the healing process at home. In most cases, the dentist will prescribe some painkillers and antibiotics. Ensure you follow all the instructions for these medications to avoid infection and unbearable pain. Your dentist could also require you to do the following:
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Take vitamin D and K2
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Apply ice wrapped in a soft cloth on the incision site to reduce swelling
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Place your head on an elevated pillow when asleep
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Avoid any contact sports, like rugby or basketball
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Avoid spicy, crunchy, and hot meals
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Eat soft food
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Avoid smoking or chewing any tobacco-related product
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Book follow-up appointments as recommended to monitor the healing process
When you follow the dentist's post-surgery care guidelines and tips, your jaw will heal faster with little or no complications. Generally, within a week after the treatment, you can resume your activities, but the incision site could take a couple of weeks to heal completely.
Factors That Could Affect the Cost of Your Dental Bone Augmentation Treatment
How much you will pay the dentist for the dental bone augmentation procedure will vary, depending on the following:
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The location of the dentist
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The type of bone grafting material the dentist will use
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The location of your surgical site in your mouth
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The extent of bone grafting that is necessary
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The dentist's experience
Possible Risks Associated With the Dental Bone Grafting Procedure
Like any other surgical procedure, a dental bone graft procedure could carry a few risks, such as:
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Infection
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Nerve damage
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Excessive bleeding
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Allergic reaction caused by the grafting materials
While it does not occur in every patient, these risks are possible after a bone augmentation procedure. To lessen the chances of these risks after this procedure, you should opt for a licensed, qualified, and experienced dentist.
Find a Reputable Dental Surgeon Near Me
Dental bone augmentation offers crucial functions in correcting and managing weak oral structures affected by bone loss or injury, especially for a patient scheduled for a dental implant. Therefore, you do not have to fret if your dentist recommends a dental bone graft because it is a procedure with a high success rate.
Whether you need to determine whether you are an excellent candidate for a dental bone graft or need this treatment to help restore your jaw functions and the aesthetic appearance of your smile, our dentists at Northridge Advanced Dentistry are here to help. Call us at 818-701-3010 to schedule your initial consultation with us today.
