Bone Grafting NYC | Why Bone Grafts are Needed ?

There is no doubt dental implants are becoming increasingly popular and you probably know at least one or two people who have had them. Perhaps you are considering them yourself. But what happens if you are told you need a bone grafts either before your implant surgery or maybe during? Is this really necessary and if so why, and is it worth all the effort?

When Is It Necessary to Have a Bone Grafts?

Here at Manhattan Periodontics & Implant Surgery, Dr. Navid Rahmani will only recommend bone grafts if they are actually required and there will be a very good reason why.

Your natural teeth are surrounded by a certain amount of bone which helps to keep them in position. This bone is quite fragile and can be destroyed by disease, in particular advanced periodontal disease which often leads to tooth loss. Bone may also be damaged during a tooth extraction which is why Dr. Rahmani uses a special technique called atraumatic tooth extraction that helps preserve as much of the jawbone as possible.

Once a tooth is extracted then the bone will soon begin to reabsorb. This is a natural process that occurs when the jawbone no longer receives any form of stimulation from the tooth roots. When natural teeth are present, the forces of chewing and biting are transmitted through the crown of the tooth, into the tooth roots and out into the surrounding bone, stimulating it so it remains strong and healthy.

Why Bone Grafts are Needed

If you have lost some of the bone in your jaw then there may be insufficient left to fully support a dental implant. It’s vital that each dental implant is surrounded by a specific amount of healthy bone, normally several millimeters. This helps ensure the implant is properly supported and that it can fully integrate with the surrounding bone. Osseo integration is a vital part of implant healing and the surface of an implant post is specially treated to encourage the growth of new bone cells on and around the post. In addition, having the correct amount of bone will help ensure the finished implant looks at the very best it can.

What Are the Most Common Types of Bone Grafts?

There are two types of bone graft that are very common. One is called a sinus lift and builds up the amount of available bone in the sinus cavities in the upper jaw. The bone near the sinus cavities is frequently quite thin and during this procedure the membrane between the jawbone and the sinus cavity is ‘lifted’ so bone graft material can be inserted. Another type is called a ridge augmentation and aims to build up the height and width of the jawbone. Often if the jawbone has been extensively reabsorbed, the bony ridge that used to support the teeth will be too narrow or not quite high enough.

A bone grafts often requires an additional procedure and a little extra healing time prior to the actual implant surgery. However it’s well worth the effort as the final result should be an implant that looks and feels very natural and which hopefully will last for many, many years.

In: Dental Implants | General Periodontal Topics | Gum Graft | Gum Graft Recovery | Gum Graft Surgery | Gum Recession Surgery | Periodontal Gum Surgery

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