Bone loss is a common issue when you’ve been dealing with missing teeth for a long time. Unfortunately, depending on how severe the bone loss is, you may not be a good candidate for dental implants.
However, a bone grafting procedure can be used to restore bone mass and clear you for surgery. Keep on reading to understand exactly how it works, and whether this procedure may be right for you.
Why Do Dental Implants Need Healthy Jaw Bones?
Dental implants are artificial teeth that mimic the structure of a natural tooth. They are made from three elements:
- Metal post
- Abutment
- Dental crown
The metal post is the root of the implant, which gets inserted into the jaw bone to replace the natural tooth’s root.
Once the post is implanted, the body goes through a process called “osseointegration”, during which the bone and other tissues heal around the implant. Once this happens, the implant is kept firmly in place, and you can get the abutment and dental crown.
The problem is, if you’ve dealt with bone loss, you either don’t have enough bone tissue left for the implant to fit, or the bone might not be strong enough to withstand the procedure. These cases increase the risk of implant failure tremendously, which is why most surgeons will not clear you for the procedure.
How Does Bone Grafting Work?
Bone grafts are a type of surgery that involves taking a bit of bone and attaching it to the area that needs healing or restoration. Usually, the surgeon makes a piece of bone from another healthy spot on the jaw, but it can also come from another place in your body or even a donor.
The healthy cells in the bone graft kickstart osseointegration and allow the jaw bone to slowly heal. This can help patients with bone loss still get dental implants.
Will This Work for Me?
Both implant surgery and bone grafts are complex procedures. Whether you can get them or not depends on your current oral health as well as other medical factors.
The best way to know if a bone graft will allow you to get implants is to see Dr. Blake Anderson for a consultation. During it, he will inspect your oral health and determine the best course of action to help restore your oral health.
Book an Appointment Today
Dental implants are a fantastic way to restore your smile, and bone grafts may make it possible to get implants even if you’re dealing with bone loss.
Your Grants Pass dentist will be able to tell you more once they see you for an appointment and run some tests.
Book a dental implant consultation at A Street Dental online, and stop by to find out if you’re a good candidate for them. For more information, call us at (541) 476-9792 today.
