Bone Grafting Specialist

What is bone grafting?

Bone grafting is a dental procedure that involves either an artificial grafting material or a bone sample from elsewhere in your body. This new bone reinforces inadequate or weak bone affected by gum disease or missing teeth.

During a bone grafting procedure, your oral surgeon places the grafting material into the area of your jawbone that needs it. Over the course of several months, your body’s natural bone grows around the graft to create a sturdy base for dental implants.

Your specialist at Ramona Dental Specialists helps you select the type of graft you should get. Your options might include:

1. Autograft

   Autografts come from a sample of your bone. For an autograft, your surgeon might use bone from your hip or another stronger area of your jaw.

2. Allograft

   Allografts are also human bone, but they come from human donors instead of your body.

3. Alloplast

   Alloplasts are bone grafts made from synthetic materials like phosphorus, calcium, and hydroxylapatite.

4. Xenograft

   Xenografts are bone grafts that come from animal donors. In most cases, they come from cow bone.

Why might I need a bone graft?

Many people need bone grafts before they can safely get dental implants, which are screw-like devices that act as roots for artificial teeth. In order to get dental implants, you need strong, sturdy jawbone.

You might not have enough jaw bone mass to support a dental implant without a bone graft for a couple of different reasons. Gum disease can reach beyond your gums to affect your jawbone, causing you to lose significant bone mass. You can also lose bone mass in your jaw if you lose teeth and don’t replace them soon enough with implants.

How long does it take to heal from a bone graft?

Healing from a bone graft typically takes between four to six months. During this time, your natural bone grows around the graft. For some people, and depending on the bone graft site, it may take up to a year for their bone to grow around the graft.

After the procedure, your oral surgeon may prescribe antibiotics to prevent an infection from forming within the bone. Since each person’s bone is structured differently and reacts differently to getting a bone graft, you should come in for follow-ups so your surgeon can monitor the bone growth and decide when you’re ready for an implant.

To learn more about the bone grafting procedure and process, call Ramona Dental Specialists, or book an appointment online today.