Losing a tooth can be serious. If you lose any teeth because of facial trauma or decay, it is not something you should try and live with. Getting expedient care is critical to your oral health.
Missing teeth can lead to numerous health problems. Bone loss in the jaw is one of the more serious issues that can arise. Your teeth can shift, tooth damage can occur, and you can suffer from TMJ and bruxism. Dental implants are an effective way to restore dental health and structural integrity; however, the procedure becomes more involved once bone loss occurs.
One essential function your teeth perform is stimulating the jaw. Without adequate stimulation your body stops sending nutrients to the jawbones, which causes bone loss.
A dental implant consists of a titanium post, an abutment, and a crown. The post provides stability once it fuses with the jawbone. Two important factors for successful osseointegration are bone mass and integrity. Without these a bone grafting procedure will likely need to take place.
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that is performed to restore strength to your jawbone before inserting dental implants. The success of dental implants relies, in part, on the amount of bone mass in the jaw. Healthy bone growth around the implant ensures proper fusion so it can integrate with the rest of your teeth.
There are several options for bone graft materials. Bone can be taken from another area of your body, from a donor, or be synthetic bone. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and local anesthetic.
Here is a brief explanation of the different types of grafts available:
- Autografts use bone tissue from the hip or tibia. Your body won’t reject this graft because it is from your body. This procedure does require an additional surgical site.
- Allografts use tissue from a donor or tissue bank, which eliminates the need for an additional surgical site during your graft. The bone is screened for safety prior to the implant.
- Xenografts use material that is typically sourced from a cow. High temperature processing reduces risk and ensures your safety.
- Alloplasts are a type of bone graft that use synthetic material such as bone morphogenic protein or a demineralized bone matrix.
Tooth loss is not the only scenario when grafting is necessary. Facial trauma can cause bone fractures or broken bones in the alveolar ridge, or jawbone. If there is not enough existing bone material in the jaw, bone healing will be impaired.
As complex as these procedures can sound, we want you to rest easy knowing that we have been performing them with great success for many years. And we want you to know that there are a wide range of solutions to your dental problems.
You will receive a thorough examination and x-rays to determine if bone grafting is required or a simple implant is the optimal treatment plan for you. We will follow up with you throughout the healing process to ensure a smooth recovery.
Call us today for a consultation! (321) 452-3388.
Merritt Island