Everything You Need to Know About Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

Dental implants have become a popular solution for missing teeth, but not everyone is immediately eligible for this type of procedure. People who have experienced bone loss in their jaw due to missing teeth or gum disease may need bone grafting first. Bone grafting helps to build up the bone in the jaw, allowing for successful placement of dental implants. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of bone grafting options available for dental implants, and how they can help you achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.

1. Ridge Augmentation

Ridge augmentation is a type of bone grafting that is used to fill in the gaps left behind by missing teeth. This procedure involves using bone graft material to rebuild the bone in the jaw where the tooth root used to be. Ridge augmentation helps to maintain natural gum contours and prevent the jaw from collapsing, which could lead to facial changes over time. This procedure can also make dental implants easier to place, resulting in a more stable and secure tooth replacement option.

The procedure is typically done under local anesthesia, and the recovery period is relatively short. Patients may experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort, but this usually subsides within a few days. Your dentist will provide you with specific aftercare instructions to follow.

2. Socket Preservation

Socket preservation is a type of bone grafting that is done immediately after a tooth extraction. The procedure involves placing bone graft material into the socket where the tooth used to be, in order to prevent the bone from collapsing and to promote healthy bone growth. Socket preservation is important because it helps to maintain the bone density in the jaw, which is crucial for placing dental implants successfully.

The procedure is typically done under local anesthesia, and patients may feel some mild discomfort afterward. Recovery time is usually around two weeks, but healing time can vary depending on individual factors. Your dentist will provide you with specific aftercare instructions, such as avoiding certain foods and activities until the wound has fully healed.

3. Sinus Lift Surgery

Sinus lift surgery is a type of bone grafting that is done when there is not enough bone density in the upper jaw to support dental implants. This procedure involves adding bone graft material to the area where the upper teeth used to be, which ends up raising the sinus floor and creating more space for the dental implants. Sinus lift surgery is crucial for patients who have experienced significant bone loss due to tooth loss or gum disease.

The procedure is typically done under local or general anesthesia, and recovery time can be longer than other types of bone grafting. Patients may experience some swelling, discomfort, and minor bleeding after the procedure. Your dentist will provide you with specific aftercare instructions to follow, such as avoiding certain activities until the wound has fully healed.

4. PRP/BMP Treatments

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) treatments are regenerative treatments that use growth factors from a patient's own blood or synthetic compounds to promote healthy bone growth. PRP/BMP treatments are often used in conjunction with bone grafting procedures to speed up the healing process and enhance the effectiveness of bone grafts.

The procedure involves drawing a small amount of the patient's blood, which is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets and growth factors. The concentrated mixture is then placed onto the bone graft material before it is placed into the jaw. Recovery time varies depending on the specific procedure, but patients typically experience little to no discomfort after the procedure.

5. Soft Tissue Grafting

Soft tissue grafting is a type of bone grafting that is done to repair gum damage caused by gum disease or other factors. This procedure involves taking tissue from the roof of the mouth or a donor source and grafting it onto the gum tissue that has receded or been damaged. Soft tissue grafting can help prevent nerve damage and tooth loss, as well as improve the appearance of the gums.

The procedure is typically done under local anesthesia, and recovery time is typically a few weeks. Patients may experience some discomfort and swelling, but this usually subsides within a few days. Your dentist will provide you with specific aftercare instructions to follow.

Benefits of Bone Grafting:

One of the primary benefits of bone grafting is that it paves the way for dental implants, significantly reducing the likelihood of treatment failure. Dental implants can also improve your oral health by supporting healthy bone growth and minimizing the risk of gum disease and jaw bone resorption. Patients can also enjoy improved self-esteem and appearance.

Risks of Bone Grafting:

One of the primary benefits of bone grafting is that it paves the way for dental implants, significantly reducing the likelihood of treatment failure. Dental implants can also improve your oral health by supporting healthy bone growth and minimizing the risk of gum disease and jaw bone resorption. Patients can also enjoy improved self-esteem and appearance.

Cost and Insurance Coverage:

The cost of bone grafting varies depending on the location, the severity of bone loss, the type of surgical technique used, and the extent of healing time required. While bone grafting is often considered a necessary preparation step for dental implants, most dental insurance policies do not cover its cost. You should discuss insurance options with your insurer before deciding on bone grafting. Aside from these traditional financing options, there are other alternate sources of financing such as healthcare credit cards or payment plans offered by certain dentists.

Conclusion:

Bone grafting is a reliable surgical procedure that prepares the jawbone for dental implants, improves oral health, and restores natural appearance. Understanding the different types of bone grafting, procedures, risks, benefits, costs, and insurance coverage is vital if you're considering dental implants. You should consult a trained oral surgeon or dentist to determine if bone grafting is necessary, and the type of surgery that is best suited for you. Are you ready to regain your smile and confidence? Schedule an appointment with your dentist today to learn more about your options and start your journey to a healthier, happier smile.

What Some of Our Patients are Saying

Mariaelena Carrillo
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Everyone is very friendly and understanding! I got my wisdom teeth removed from this location and I wasn’t feeling too good after and they helped watch over me and next thing you know I’m feeling way better after a few minutes of their help!:) I come back in for my checkup appointment and they were super helpful with any questions I had and the healing process went smoothly!
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This is a very conscientious Practice. I Love my Periodontist Mr. SHELDON LU, DMD, MS he is caring, Extremely thorough , Answers all my questions with pleasure. Office staff Nancy, Maria and the rest of the staff there are same as Mr. SHELDON LU!! I’m glad I found him , and his wonderful staff. Makes a difference to me when people care. I would recommend this office anyone five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️from me , thank you for everything.
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Dr Lu is an excellent periodontist. He doesn’t believe in giving a patient too many medications when they are not necessary. He really cares about his patients. He makes sure to keep the patient’s teeth and gums clean to prevent any serious gum disease. I am one of his patients and highly recommend him. The members of his office staff and assistants are very professional.
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The clinic recommended by a friend specializing in the treatment of periodontal disease provided me with satisfactory service from the appointment to the post-operative period. Dr. Lu is very professional,he’s so considerate and gently answered my questions, he also taught me how to take care of my teeth every day. The front desk and the dental assistant are very warm and polite too.
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Small office, but very cozy and friendly. This is my first visit. I am very much impressed by Dr. Lu's professionalism and expert knowledge. He did a thorough examination and explained treatment options in easy-to-understand language. I feel very comfortable and well treated. I definitely would come back and recommend to others.
Farhat Farooqui
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I was nervous before my tooth extraction and grafting procedure, but I knew I was in good hands with Dr Sheldon Lu and his staff. Dr Lu’s expertise and gentleness, and his staff’s efficiency and genuine concern for the patients made the surgical experience as pleasant as such a procedure can be. I would recommend Iconic Periodontics 100% to anyone. Thank you, Dr Lu and staff!
Stilian Halembakov
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Very friendly and nice team. Dr Sheldon Li is soft-spoken and gentle, thorough in his dental expertise without pushing for a decision on proposed action plan. Highly recommended !
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I love this dentist office. The front office is always kind, professional and very efficient. The dentists are always gentle quick and do an amazing job. I am a big chicken when it comes to any kind of invasive procedures, even minor ones. But I always feel at ease when I come here.10 ⭐️’s
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From the first point of contact on the phone I knew IPDI was a great place. After meeting Dr. Sheldon Lu, it was clear we’d found a gem. Dr Sheldon Lu and his team are professional, genuinely kind, caring and confident. You feel like not only have you met a great dentist, but made a new friend. Dr. Sheldon Lu is an honest dentist who instills trust in his patients by being upfront and genuine. I appreciate each staff member as well. Kind, clear and positive people work here.
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I had a wonderful experience at this place . Service was fast and the staff were very friendly. They made sure all concern I had about my teeth were answer . They took time to answer my questions and explain everything well to me . I came for a regular check up and cleaning done . The place was very nice. I usually don’t liked coming to a dentist office but for sure I will return back for my next checkup and cleaning Thanks to Dr Sheldon luu and his wonderful staff for such taking good care of me !

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