A dental bone graft is primarily helpful to restore bone in your jaw that has been lost due to trauma, tooth loss, or advanced periodontal disease. The procedure becomes helpful to offer a stable foundation for dental implants to improve the structure of the jaw. Here are some of the primary things that you need to know about bone grafts:
Purposes of Dental Bone Grafts
Bone grafts, which are artificial tooth roots that are quite helpful in supporting artificial teeth if you have missing teeth, offer adequate support for dental implants. A dental implant cannot sufficiently integrate with your jawbone if you have jawbone deterioration. Thus, a dental expert will recommend a dental bone graft first. Another purpose of the bone graft is to prevent or minimize further bone loss. It helps maintain the contours of your facial features and jaw.
Types of Bone Grafts
Bone grafts can be derived from many sources. The most commonly used are autografts, bones taken from your body, such as the jaw, tibia, or hip. Allografts are other types that are sourced from a donor. They are first processed to eliminate cells and minimize the risk of rejection. Another type is the xenograft derived from animals and processed to be safe and favorable for humans. Lastly, we have synthetic grafts, which are made with artificial materials.
The Procedure of Bone Graft Installation
The bone graft material is placed in the area with bone deterioration or loss. Sometimes, our experts can use a membrane to cover the graft site adequately to promote faster healing and prevent soft tissues from affecting bone growth. Your body will, over time, replace this graft material with a new bone.
Healing Time After Bone Graft Installation
The healing time tends to differ depending on the size of the graft installed. It can take a few months for the new bone to integrate with your existing bone. If you note marked bone loss, contact us immediately for more information.