For those who are missing one or more teeth because of periodontal disease, injury or other infection, a dental implant is the best choice available for them. Dental implants look and function the same as our natural tooth. If you have a successful implant no one could tell you got one. A dental implant is an artificial root that an oral surgeon inserts into the jaw in order to hold a replacement tooth or bridge in place. It is a welcome alternative to dentures or bridgework
Before taking any big or small decisions, it is always important to make sure that you know what you are getting into. In our case, it is important to understand the various aspects of dental implants. The first step is removing the damaged tooth. Post which, the jaw bone is prepared for surgery. During this step, there is a possibility of needing a bone graft for dental implants. A bone graft is a procedure that replaces and regenerates lost bone, and can also restore proper facial contour. Sometimes, when we lose our teeth because of trauma, rot, decay, or injury, some bone loss often occurs, and the bone around the jaw will begin to deteriorate. A bone graft is done in such circumstances creating a more solid base for a dental implant. Bone has an amazing capacity of remodeling itself which is a curse and boon for us. It makes bone grafting possible and is also the reason behind the bone recession.
Your oral surgeon after the initial check-up might ask you to undergo a bone graft for dental implants if your jaw is too thin or soft to keep the implant in place in its current state. The implant surgery might fail if the bone cannot support the implant. The major advantage of dental implant and bone graft is the solid foundation it provides to your new teeth.
How is a dental implant done with bone grafting?
When the doctor at Implants Pro Center™ examines you, you should provide or discuss your personal medical history and all the risks and benefits of the surgery with your oral surgeon. Once you and your doctor are satisfied with everything then you can move ahead to get your dental implants surgery. The steps involved in which are as follows:- The damaged tooth will be removed.
- The oral surgeon will then examine for the need for a bone graft or not.
- If a bone graft is required the surgeon might take one of the two options. In the traditional approach, the surgeon takes a section of bone from another area of your body or jaw usually near the wisdom tooth area and transplant it onto your jaw bone. A modern alternative is to use bone from a cadaver source or an animal source to replace the missing bone. The second option though new, has high success rate and prevents a second surgical site from where we would take a section of the bone.
- Once this procedure is done, you will have to wait a few months while the graft creates enough new, strong bone to make sure that the implant will be stable and secure.
- Then the oral surgeon will place the titanium implant post into the jawbone. This stage takes a couple of months to heal.
- After healing, an abutment which is an extension of the implant’s metal post is placed into the jaw. Again, we have to give time for the soft tissue to heal.
- The final step after this would be to insert the tooth or teeth in its place.