BONE GRAFTING

Building the Foundation for Restorative Dentistry

Dental implant placement requires sufficient jawbone mass and structure. Without adequate bone mass, dental implants can fail early or have trouble fusing with the jawbone. For this reason, bone grafting is sometimes necessary before an implant can be placed.

Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for placement of dental implants.

Today, we have the ability to grow bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implant of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and esthetic appearance.

Replacing Teeth: Will I need bone grafting?

When you come into our office for a dental plant consultation, Dr. Fateh or Dr. Sanz will thoroughly examine your jawbone structure in order to determine whether or not you will need a bone graft. The most common reasons our patients need bone grafting before implant placement include:

• Missing tooth for several months—Your jawbone begins to deteriorate as soon as you lose a tooth or have an extraction.
• Trauma or infection—This can cause a defect in the bone.
• Missing front teeth—Because they are thin, the walls of the front teeth sockets often have a difficult time regenerating on their own.
• Large or low sinus cavities—Bone grafting with a sinus lift may help restore the bone height required for implant placement.

Jawbone Health

Did you know that you’re your teeth keep your jawbone healthy by providing regular stimulation? Without stimulation, your jaw, specifically the alveolar bone that anchors the teeth, will begin to deteriorate as your body sends minerals elsewhere. Unfortunately, this process begins the moment you lose a permanent tooth. In addition to inadequate bone mass for dental implant support, jawbone loss can lead to:

• Collapsed facial structure
• Skin wrinkling
• TMJ pain and headaches
• Complications with the remaining face
• Nutrition and speech issues

There’s a Solution—Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is a very common procedure during which we place donated bone (or your own bone taken from another site in your mouth) into the area that needs bulking up. Your body naturally grows new bone as your jaw heals during the next several months, and the donated bone grafts develop into your own bone over time.

Where does the new bone come from exactly?

For grafting, we primarily use donor bone taken from animal sources and human cadavers. We occasionally, but very rarely, use the patient’s own bone—chin, hip, leg, and skull—but the potential for discomfort or complication is much higher. So we recommend using donor sources.

Can stem cells help with my healing?

Yes! At San Francisco Bay Periodontics, we combine bone grafting with platelet-rich plasma. Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP for short, is a concentrate of cells that have amazing abilities to aid in tissue regeneration and healing. We draw a small tube of your blood in order to extract your platelets and add this to your bone graft to aid in healing. The use of PRP for the regeneration of bone and soft tissue in the mouth is heavily backed by evidence-based medicine and dentistry. We also use different growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor and bone morphogenetic protein

Does bone grafting add more time to the implant process?

Yes, the process in which new bone grows in your jaw takes several months. Once the bone is adequately restored, Dr. Fateh moves forward with the implant process.

Recovery From Bone Grafting

Bone grafting may cause some post-op soreness for a few days, but the appropriate analgesics will be prescribed to address the pain. We also use homeopathic Arnica for post-operative pain, swelling, and possible bruising.

For more details on bone grafting and to find out how soon you can have your implants placed, please give us a call! San Francisco Office Phone Number 415-333-1173

San Francisco Bay Periodontics is proud to offer the highest level of periodontal care. In addition to the latest treatments and technologies, a genuine passion for patient care allows us to provide only the best experiences and results in our office every day. Whether you are here for aesthetic or health reasons, we look forward to serving you.

Bone Graft (Socket Preservation):