Bone Graft
Mt Laurel, NJ
Bone Grafting provided by Dr. Fizza Jaffery
in Mt Laurel, NJ at Union Mill Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center
 A bone graft is a procedure that involves restoring bone that has been lost. Bone graft procedures are typically done before dental implants are installed at our Mt Laurel, NJ office. But why is this necessary?
Learn more about bone grafts below, and contact us at Union Mill Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center for any questions you may have about the process.
What Is a Bone Graft and How Does It Work?
The foundation of a healthy smile requires the health of both the jaw and alveolar bone - the latter is what we will be focusing on.
The alveolar bone holds a tooth in place and like with any bone, it needs to keep its strength by continuously having something to do. The less bone is used, the weaker it becomes and in the case of the alveolar bone, it will atrophy (degrade) over time if it is not holding a tooth.
A healthy alveolar bone is necessary for dental implants because that is where they are placed. If a patient's alveolar bone is compromised, they will require a bone graft to restore the lost bone. This is achieved by placing bone material from either a donor or another part of your body in the section where boss loss has occurred.
After Dr. Jaffery places the bone graft, the new bone material must be allowed to bond with the original bone, which can take upwards of a year or more depending on the person. It is a long process but is necessary to ensure the implants are able to be fitted properly.
Bone Graft Procedures
There are different types of bone graft procedures depending on the needs of the patient - not all involve the alveolar bone. A bone graft simply involves replacing lost bone; thus, it can be done to multiple parts of the mouth.
Socket Graft
A socket graft is done to replace lost alveolar bone. This is necessary for implant placement as mentioned above and is the most common bone grafting procedure that is done because many patients don't request implants immediately after tooth extractions.
Lateral Ridge Preservation Graft
If a patient doesn't have enough jaw area for implants, a ridge preservation graft can be done to make up for this.
Block Bone Graft
For a block bone graft, we take bone from the back of the jaw or from a donor and attach it to a defect using either tacks or screws.
Sinus Lift Procedure
A sinus lift is done for patients who require added bone to their upper jaw. This can range from replacing lost bone or adding space between the maxillary sinus and the upper jaw.
A Bone Graft Isn't Always Required for Implants
Because it takes time for the graft to bond with your original bones, it significantly increases the time for a patient to receive their implants. However, a bone graft isn't always required for implants. All on X implants can be fixated at an angle to make up for lost alveolar bone - this can be a great option for those who do not want to wait to replace a full set of teeth and is one of the reasons why the All-on-X dental implant process is the most popular form of full mouth reconstruction using implants.
Schedule With Your Mt Laurel, NJ Oral Surgeon Today!
At Union Mill Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, we are here for your mouth reconstruction needs, and sometime that requires a bone grafting procedure. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment with us, you can call our office at (856) 437-5225. |
