Dental Bone Grafting – Daly CIty

What is bone grafting? 

Over time, missing teeth can lead to jaw bone deterioration, making dental implant placement difficult. However, modern advancements allow for bone regeneration, enabling successful implant placement and restoring functionality and aesthetics. Major bone grafting procedures involve repairing deficient implant sites using bone from tissue banks or the patient’s own body, typically from the jaw, hip, or tibia. Sinus bone grafts address bone loss in the upper jaw, while guided bone regeneration aids in bone regrowth. These surgeries are common for repairing jaw defects caused by various factors like trauma or tumors, often requiring hospitalization.

Potential Consequences of Tooth and Jaw bone Loss

• Problems with remaining teeth, including misalignment, drifting, loosening, and loss
• Collapsed facial profile
• Limited lip support
• Skin wrinkling around the mouth
• Distortion of other facial features
• Jaw (TMJ or temporomandibular joint) pain, facial pain, and headaches
• Difficulty speaking and communicating
• Inadequate nutrition as a result of the inability to chew properly and painlessly
• Sinus expansion

Why do I lose bone? 

Reasons for Jaw Bone Loss and Deterioration

1. Tooth Extractions:
   • Loss of natural teeth leads to jaw bone resorption due to lack of stimulation.
   • Bone loss can occur within eighteen months post-extraction and continues gradually.
2. Periodontal Disease:
   • Infections in the gums gradually destroy support for natural teeth.
   • Plaque-induced inflammation damages periodontal tissues, leading to bone loss.
3. Dentures/Bridgework:
   • Unanchored dentures on the gum line cause bone resorption due to lack of stimulation.
   • Teeth-supported bridgework may lead to bone loss in areas without direct stimulation.
4. Trauma:
   • Tooth loss from injury halts bone stimulation, causing jaw bone loss.
   • Fractures or knocked-out teeth can lead to long-term bone loss.
5. Misalignment:
   • Lack of opposing tooth structure can cause over-eruption and bone deterioration.
   • TMJ problems or abnormal forces during chewing can lead to bone loss.
6. Osteomyelitis:
   • Bacterial infection in the jaw bone leads to inflammation and reduced blood supply.
   • Treatment involves antibiotics and bone removal, often requiring bone grafting.
7. Tumors:
   • Benign or malignant tumors in the jaw may necessitate bone removal and grafting.
   • Reconstructive grafting restores normal function post-tumor removal.
8. Developmental Deformities:
   • Syndromes or conditions may cause missing facial bone portions, requiring grafting.
9. Sinus Deficiencies:
   • Removal of upper jaw molars can lead to sinus enlargement and insufficient bone for implants.
   • Sinus lift procedures can treat enlarged sinuses to facilitate implant placement.

More Bone Grafting FAQ:

Where do bone graft materials come from?

Bone graft materials can come from the patient (chin, upper jaw, hip, leg, and skull), from bovine sources (cows), or from human cadavers. There are many different types of natural and synthetic grafting materials, each with its own pros and cons. We will help you decide which source is right for your case.
Does bone grafting hurt?
Some patients experience minor discomfort following bone grafting for a day or two. Usually, all that is needed to minimize the soreness is an over the counter pain medication.

How long does bone grafting take?

While the bone grafting procedure itself is quick and easy, the continual bone growth phase that follows can take a four to six months before the site is ready to accept a dental implant.

For more information on bone grafting, please call Archstone Oral and Facial Surgery!