All About Bone Grafting

What is Bone Grafting?

Bone Grafting is an oral surgical procedure that adds a bone or a bone-like element onto the jaw. This oral procedure creates a solid jawbone to support dental implants.

In bone grafting, oral surgeons can use either a bone adopted from your body or processed from other materials like a cadaver. There are many options from which a bone graft can be taken from.

Oral surgeons may recommend the use of your own bone. The bone graft may be taken from your upper or lower jaw, or from your chin, tibia or hips. In case the bone graft taken from your body turns out to be incompatible, artificially processed bone grafts may be recommended.

Oral Surgery Associates of Charlotte provides exceptional bone grafting options for you and your loved ones. We use state-of-the-art techniques and facilities for all our bone grafting, dental implant, and other oral treatments.

Our team of board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons aim to build your bone that will be ready for an implant. We also aim to ensure the newborn integrates with the bone in the jaw in a short period of time.

When is Bone Grafting Necessary?

Bone Grafting is necessary and beneficial to patients who opt to undergo dental implant procedures. In most cases, bone grafting is recommended after a tooth loss or gum disease.  The goal of this oral procedure is to restore the bone to its previous form.

Restoring the facial bone into its former structure is beneficial for a lot of dental procedures. Dental implants and other oral care treatments typically require that the bone is close to its original structure.

Bone grafting is necessary when the jaw bone has degenerated from a previous tooth extraction or periodontal disease. This oral procedure helps in regenerating the bone that has receded over time.

Dental implant procedures require that the bone where the implant is to be installed should be solid and strong. This is to ensure the stability of the dental implants once installed. This can also provide comfort and safety to patients who will undergo dental implant treatments.

At our Charlotte oral surgery practice, we will conduct a comprehensive dental examination and diagnosis to ensure the necessity of a bone graft. Once we have fully examined the condition of your gums and jawbone, we will recommend bone grafting options that are safe, effective, and compatible with your bone.

Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons will discuss with you all possible options for a bone graft. We will also discuss how the bone graft will be augmented to your jawbone.

When you opt for our bone grafting procedure in Charlotte, NC, these are the benefits that you can get:

1. It preserves the jaw bone from where the tooth was extracted.
2. Bone grafting prepares the installation site for future implant procedures.
3. It maintains the volume and shape of the jawbone which helps stabilize dental implants.

Oral Surgery Associates of Charlotte ensures your safety and comfort in all our procedures. If bone grafting is recommended prior to a dental implant treatment, we will ensure that you are ready for both procedures.

Types of Bone Grafting Procedures

The types of bone grafting depend on the severity of damage or degeneration of the jawbone.

Here are the 2 main types of bone grafting:

1. Major Bone Grafting.

Major bone grafting is mostly done when the jawbone is severely damaged. This type of bone grafting is recommended when the jaw bone incurred a defect because of a traumatic injury.

Major bone grafting may also be recommended for damage caused during a tumor surgery. Another reason why major bone grafting may be recommended is that of a congenital disease.

The goal of major bone grafting is to repair the damage or defect of the jaw. It also aims to reconstruct, correct or build the jaw bone.

2.Minor Bone Grafting.

Minor bone grafting is usually done for patients who require jaw bone quantity and quality. Minor bone grafting requires minimal procedures. In most cases, a minor bone grafting is recommended for the placement of dental implants.

Other minor bone grafting procedures include ridge augmentation and socket bone preservation. Ridge augmentation is recommended when the degenerated jawbones need height and area.

Socket bone preservation is recommended after the extraction of a tooth to maintain the solidity of the jawbone. This can help maintain the level of the bone and prevent the risk of degeneration.

Oral Surgery Associates of Charlotte offers quality bone grafting procedures that suit your need. We provide optimum care while ensuring your safety and comfort during bone grafting procedures.

For minor bone grafting treatments, we can give you a full assessment of your oral condition. In case your jaw can support the bone graft, our trusted oral surgeon may recommend the implant procedure simultaneously.

Bone Graft After- Care

Bone grafting for dental implants or ridge augmentation is a simple oral surgical procedure. It does not involve an extensive recovery period. However, there are certain things that patients should do to care for the bone graft and the grafted area.

During the first few days or weeks after the procedure, patients may feel denser bones along the jaw where the bone was grafted. During this period, you should avoid brushing the grafted area.

You should avoid touching the area with your tongue. You should avoid rubbing or massaging your cheek area where the bone was grafted.

Bones take time to heal and grow, thus, it is best to give your bones optimum healing time and condition. You may also need to adapt to a soft diet during this period.

Our professional and highly-skilled surgeons will give you tips and guidelines on how to care for your jaw after a bone grafting procedure and prior to a dental implant treatment. At Oral Surgery Associates of Charlotte, we care for you and your oral health!

Contact us at 704-549-8020 to learn more about bone grafting. You may also book an appointment with us to know if bone grafting is necessary for your oral condition.