The most advanced treatment available to replace missing teeth is dental implants, small titanium screws that fuse with your jawbone to support crowns, bridges, or dentures. Dental implants can transform a smile from gaps and gums to a full row of white teeth, or replace a damaged tooth in an otherwise healthy mouth. But to achieve this, the implant has to have a sturdy structure to support it. This can be a problem, as tooth loss is generally either caused or followed by deterioration of the gum and bone tissue around the tooth. Where bone is weak or missing, patients may need bone grafting surgery before dental implants can be placed.
Types Of Grafts
Bone grafts can either come from another donor site on your body, or from processed bone graft material that we supply. The surgery will differ slightly depending on the site where the dental implant is to be placed and the condition of the bone already there.
In some cases, a small bone graft may be used at the time of a tooth extraction to preserve the alveolar ridge, in a procedure often called a socket graft. This fills in the socket where the tooth used to be and is meant to keep the space healthy until a dental implant can be placed.
In other cases, where severe deterioration has already taken place, a block graft using a block of your own bone may be necessary.
A sinus lift is called for when an implant site in the upper jaw intersects with the sinus cavity. This minimally invasive procedure raises the floor of the sinus cavity while preserving its natural lining, and fills in the new space with processed bone matter to encourage new growth.
What To Expect
In the past, bone grafting was a much more intense and invasive procedure than it is today. Dental bone grafts are usually outpatient procedures, with a healing time of three to nine months depending on the exact nature of your graft. This procedure is typically done before dental implant placement, though in some cases it can be done at the same time. Once the graft has had time to heal and the bone has grown into place, your mouth will be ready to support your new implants. Learn more about the dental implant process here
Worth The Wait
One of the biggest advantages of dental implants is the way they encourage the bone mass to remain strong and healthy. The bone and implant depend on each other, so a well-cared-for implant can entirely stop the bone from deteriorating. But to make this happen, there has to be enough bone already present for the implant to take place. An exam and x-ray will help us determine the state of your jawbone. If it is weakened or diminished, you’ll have to receive a graft before implants are a possibility.
Are Dental Implants Right For You?
Although this process is long, it is well worth it in terms of both aesthetics and your long-term health and lifestyle. Not only does a dental implant look and function like a natural tooth, it helps to preserve the bone and gums that would otherwise continue to deteriorate, jeopardizing other teeth. Dental implants are the best option for preserving your dental health after tooth loss, and with proper care, they will last you a lifetime. Contact CITIDental High Street to schedule a consultation with one of Boston’s most experienced implant dentists and begin the process of restoring your smile.