Dental bone grafting replaces lost bone tissue from disease, injury, or trauma. The procedure encourages natural bone to grow, which is important for both functionality and aesthetic purposes.
If you’re wondering what to expect with bone grafting dental services, you’ve come to the right place. Our NW Calgary dental clinic, Pro Grace Dental, offers safe and effective bone grafting for a variety of restorative and cosmetic procedures.
The effects of dental bone loss
Periodontal disease is the most common cause of bone loss. This disease starts off as a mild gum infection, known as gingivitis, and has advanced without treatment. The plaque eats away at the bone supporting the teeth, causing the surrounding teeth to become loose or spread out. Dental bone loss can also occur from losing teeth or due to injury.
As the bone that supports your teeth shrink, it can cause the gums and the underlying jawbone to shrink which impacts facial structure and appearance. While dental bone loss can affect people of all ages, it is more common as you get older.
Some of the signs of dental bone loss include:
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Shrinking gums
- Gaps between the teeth
- Gum recession
- Swollen and bleeding gums
The above can also be a sign of other dental issues – to find out if you have dental bone loss, your dentist will require an X-ray and a full assessment of your teeth and gums.
Reasons you may need a bone graft
Typically, you’ll need a bone graft to restore the jaw bone and prevent more bone loss. The goal here is to encourage natural bone to grow so there is a strong foundation for teeth, which will help avoid teeth loss and further infection.
While bone grafting can be used for many periodontal procedures, the most common reason is to prep the mouth for dental implants. Dental implants are a strong and durable option for replacing missing teeth, but patients need a strong jaw bone to support the implant. If a patient lacks the quality or quantity of bone, we recommend bone grafting to help support the implant site.
The different types of bone grafts
While there are several types of bone grafts, there are three that are most commonly used in a dental setting:
- Autogenous bone graft – This procedure uses bone removed from elsewhere in your body, typically from the pelvis, hip, or shin bone, depending on how much bone is needed. Your own bone is then implanted into the mouth.
- Allograft – An allograft uses synthetic bone made in a laboratory or cadaver bone collected from a bone bank.
- Xenograft – This type of bone grafting uses bone derived from a cow, which is a perfectly safe and effective method that’s been done for many years.
What to expect with the bone grafting procedure
Bone grafting is typically performed under local anesthetic, but general anesthesia may be needed if large amounts of bone are grafted. Once the grafting material is harvested or prepared for insertion, your dentist will make a small incision in the gum tissue where the grafting site is. The tissue is gently separated from the bone and the grafting material is applied to the site.
The gum is then stitched back into place and you’ll be given after-treatment care instructions to help with the healing process. You’ll come in for a follow-up appointment to make sure that your gums are healing as they should.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms of gum disease or suspect that you have dental bone loss, it’s important to see us right away. We want to prevent further bone loss, teeth loss, and restore the functionality and appearance of your teeth and gums.
