Bone Grafting for Implants
Do I have enough bone for dental implants?
Bone Grafting for Implants
1 / Inadequate Bone
2 / Graft Material Placed
3 / Implants Placed
1 / Inadequate Bone
2 / Graft Material Placed
3 / Implants Placed
There may be inadequate bone for implant placement if your tooth was removed many years ago and your bony ridge is extremely thin. In this case, a bone graft can be placed next to the thin bone and allowed to heal for up to six months. After the graft has fused to your pre-existing bone, the ridge will be re-entered and the implant placed. Bone grafting is usually a relatively comfortable office procedure. Many different bone-grafting materials are available, including your own bone.
1 / Inadequate Bone
2 / Graft Material and Implant Placed
1 / Inadequate Bone
2 / Graft Material and Implant Placed
You may also need bone grafting if the sinus cavities in your upper jaw are very large, or very low, and extend into the tooth-bearing areas. This often occurs when teeth in the back of a person’s upper jaw have been removed many years before, and the amount of bone available for implant placement is limited. A “sinus grafting procedure” is then required. Most often, it is performed in the office with local anesthesia and perhaps sedation. During this procedure, the membrane that lines the sinus will be located and elevated. Bone will then be added to restore the bone height and ensure that dental implants of an adequate length can be placed. This procedure often can be performed at the time of implant placement.
Healing after Dental Implant Surgery
Now the healing begins. The length of time varies from person to person, depending upon the quality and quantity of bone. In some cases, implants may be restored immediately after they are placed. The surgeon will advise you on follow-up care and timing. After the initial phase of healing, the surgeon places an abutment (support post) or a healing cap onto the dental implant during a brief follow-up visit. This allows gum tissue to mature and provides access to the implant.
Occasionally, impressions are made at the time the implant is placed. This enables the crown to be ready when the implants have healed. How long your mouth needs to heal is determined by a variety of factors. Follow-up care (one to four appointments) is usually needed to ensure that your mouth is healing well and to determine when you are ready for the restorative phase of your treatment.
It may be beneficial to perform a soft tissue graft to obtain stronger, more easily cleaned and natural appearing gum tissue in the area around the implant. This process involves moving a small amount of gum tissue from one part of your mouth to the area around the implant. Most often, it is a brief and relatively comfortable procedure.
Whether it’s one tooth or all of your teeth that are being replaced, your dentist will complete the restoration by fitting the replacement tooth (crown) to the dental implant.
~ Find Out if Dental Implants Are Right for You ~
When are Dental Implants Placed?
Implants are often placed several months after extraction. At times, an implant may be placed immediately after extraction of a tooth. This may involve a little more risk, but it simplifies the process—you won’t have to wait for another appointment to place the implant. When infection or other problems with the bone are present, immediate implant placement is not the best treatment. If your tooth has been missing for some time, the adjacent support bone is likely to grow thinner and shrink. This occurs because the root of the natural tooth has to be present to stimulate the bone. As much as one third of your jaw’s thickness can be lost in the year following tooth extraction. If you are missing enough bone, you may benefit from having additional bone grafted into the area. This ensures the implant will be adequately supported when it is placed in the jaw.
How Many Implants Do I Need?
Most frequently, one implant per missing tooth is placed. Because many of the larger teeth in the back of your jaws have two or three roots, the most common approach is to replace missing back teeth with larger implants.
Oral, Facial, and Dental Surgery Services
Surgeons Peter H. Kim, DDS; Serv S. Wahan, DMD, MD; Daniel T. Brady, DDS; and Dustin Altmann, DMD, Dr. Gross, DMD, MD, provide a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery, from corrective jaw surgery and wisdom tooth removal to advanced dental implant and bone grafting procedures, as well as diagnosis and treatment of facial pain, facial injuries, and TMJ disorders. Our clinical team is highly trained in assisting with I.V. sedation in a modern, state-of-the-art office setting, so you can receive care comfortably and safely.
Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in Washington State
- Board-Certified Specialists
- Trusted by Referring Dentists
- State-of-the-Art Technology
- Proven Outcomes & Satisfaction
- Personalized Patient Experience
- Comprehensive Care
- Advanced Surgical Expertise
- Safe Sedation
- Four Local Offices
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