Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a procedure which is often used before a patient undergoes dental implant surgery or other prosthetic installations. It is specifically performed when patients lack an adequate amount of bone in the jaw required to support an implant, bridge, or other prosthesis. The bone grafting is performed before the dental prosthetic is surgically placed. Patients must have a sufficient amount of bone in the jaw to withstand the extreme forces of chewing. When the jawbone does not have enough structure, it is unable to support the implant and is at an increased risk for failure.
Prior to discussing the recovery from dental bone grafting, it is important for patients to have a good understanding of the actual bone grafting procedure. When a patient loses a tooth, the jawbone starts to become less dense. The chewing process actually stimulates the jawbone and prevents bone loss. After the loss of a tooth, it is common for patients to experience bone resorption.
Prompt replacement of a missing tooth helps prevent bone loss and ensures the bone remains strong. When patients replace a missing tooth in a timely manner with an implant, they can oftentimes avoid the need for a bone graft.
A bone graft is most commonly used before dental implant surgery. Patients who lack the bone structure needed to support an implant or other prosthetic rely on a bone graft to ensure the success of the implant or prosthetic. Patients who have enough jawbone needed to support an implant or other prosthetic do not need to undergo grafting.
Grafting Materials
Patients often assume that bone grafting works by the dental professional removing bone from one area of the patient’s mouth and strategically placing it in another location. While grafting is able to use the patient’s own natural bone, it is also possible to use other types of materials. The following are materials which can be used for grafting:
- Human bone
- Animal bone
- Synthetic materials.
Patients should work closely with the dental professional to determine the material which will best meet their needs. In some cases, patients may prefer the use of their own bone, however, this is likely to make the recovery longer. Animal bone, donor bone, or synthetic materials may also be preferred in some cases.
Recovery
To help prevent infection, patients may be prescribed antibiotics to be used after the grafting procedure. Some patients are also prescribed pain medication, but most patients can manage their discomfort with an over-the-counter pain medication. Any pain or discomfort should be resolved within a few weeks following the procedure.
Various factors can have an impact on how long it takes the mouth to heal and recover from bone grafting. Factors such as the patient's age, general health, type of surgery, and grafting materials being used can all impact the expected recovery. The typical recovery from bone grafting is a few weeks but can take up to two months or more in some cases.
Dental Implants
Before a patient can receive a dental implant, they must allow for the bone graft to fuse to the natural bone. For most patients, it takes a few months for the bone to fully heal. The dental professional will regularly monitor patients to ensure the bone graft is healing properly.
Patients who are interested in bone grafting should contact the office today. The team can determine if you are a good candidate for grafting and discuss questions regarding the procedure and recovery expectations.
