Do They Bone Graft for Teeth?
Bone grafting has been used in medicine for thousands of years, and advancements in modern medicine have allowed doctors and dentists to develop new methods and materials while fine-tuning their techniques. In dentistry, bone grafts have been used for decades and have become a common procedure for people who need to restore damaged or missing bone tissue. When a natural tooth falls out or is removed, the bone that once supported the tooth is gradually reabsorbed into the body, leaving a weak spot where the tooth once was. While this is the most common reason people receive dental bone grafts, there are other circumstances that may damage the jaw and lead to the need for dental bone grafts. In order to replace this missing tooth with a dental implant, the bone must first be rebuilt and strengthened so that the structural integrity of the bone is sufficient to support the prosthetic tooth. So, while there aren’t necessarily bone grafts for teeth, which aren’t made of bone, there are bone grafts that are frequently used to support the teeth and help restore oral health.
Who Should Look Into Dental Bone Grafts?
Anyone who has lost one or more permanent teeth could be a strong candidate for a dental bone graft. Patients with active gum disease, who may benefit from bone grafts, should ensure that their gum disease is well managed before getting bone grafts, as untreated gum disease continues to ravage tissue whether it’s naturally existing or grafted; there’s not much point in placing a bone graft if it’s going to be destroyed by active periodontitis. Tooth loss and gum disease both contribute to the loss of bone in the jaw in different ways. The roots of the teeth stimulate the bone and muscle that support them as they bear the pressures of everyday activities like eating, and when these tooth roots are missing, the bone no longer receives stimulation and is absorbed by the body for use in other applications. This might not be readily noticeable if only a single tooth is missing, but patients with multiple missing teeth or advanced gum disease might have substantial, noticeable bone loss that affects the facial appearance. While bone grafts are an ideal way to rebuild the bone before placing dental implants, they can also be used to correct the sunken appearance that arises when bone is lost. However, without the presence of an implant, the bone stands a good chance of continuing to degrade due to lack of use.
What is the Procedure for Dental Bone Grafts?
Before a bone graft, the dentist will first prepare the oral cavity, extracting any damaged teeth and addressing existing gum disease. To perform this common, outpatient procedure, the dentist first anesthetizes the patient, usually with a local anesthetic. Then, an incision is made in the gum tissue, exposing the jawbone, and graft material is placed into the treatment site before the gums are stitched back together. The procedure usually only takes an hour or two, and while patients report minor discomfort afterward as anesthesia wears off, any swelling or pain should subside within a week or two. Gradually, the graft material helps new bone cells develop, and these natural bone cells will eventually replace the grafted material. In some cases, guided tissue regeneration methods are also used to encourage bone growth and help ensure that the new bone has developed in the right place, size, and shape. Graft material can be derived from human or animal donors or from the patient’s own body, or synthetic grafting materials can be used; these options vary depending on the patient’s clinical needs and preferences. It takes a few months for the jaw to fully heal following a bone graft, and once healing is complete, restorative treatments like dental implants can safely proceed.