Bone Grafting for Dental Implants in Milwaukee, WI
Community OMFS provides jaw bone grafting in Milwaukee, WI. Call 414-810-1707 to learn more and schedule an appointment.
If you have severely damaged or missing teeth, you know how challenging gaps in your smile can make your everyday life. Fortunately, restoring your smile's health, comfort, and appearance is possible with dental implants that look and feel like your natural teeth.
When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone slowly resorbs and diminishes in size over time. Dental implants require a foundation of solid and abundant bone. So in cases where bone has diminished in size, bone grafting may be required to prepare the jaw for dental implants. This process will create the foundation for placing the implants in their ideal location. Here's what you should know about bone grafting procedures before scheduling your consultation with Dr. Khader at Community Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
What is a Bone Graft?
Bone grafting is a form of reconstructive surgery that helps generate and build bone. Bone grafting surgery in the jaw is performed to correct problems that may be the results of:
- Tooth loss and subsequent loss of bone in the related jaw area
- Defects from birth
- Trauma
Bone grafting to rebuild jaw bone to support dental implants is usually done in our office. Dr. Khader may recommend that the grafting material be taken from the patient’s bone or another source. Bone grafting can help provide proper support for dental implants or prostheses. Bone grafts require between 4 – 6 months for healing, though sometimes this process may take longer. Only after the bone graft has consolidated is an implant able to be successfully placed in the jaw bone.
For more extensive bone grafting procedures, such as the correction of congenital defects, a hospital setting is required, and grafting material may be taken from other areas, such as the hip, skull, or tibia.
Bone Grafting Procedures at Community Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
We are proud to provide several types of bone grafts to meet the specific needs of our patients. These include:
Socket Preservation
Socket preservation is a procedure usually performed on the same day as a tooth extraction to help reduce bone loss. Bone grafting material or bone growth-enhancing elements are placed into the socket where the extracted tooth was removed to prevent the resorption of bone and to stimulate your body’s natural capacity to regenerate bone. Bone resorption can interfere with plans for restorative treatments such as dental implants, crowns, or bridges.
Dr Khader may recommend a delayed socket preservation. This can be performed between 2 and 6 weeks after the extraction. If your tooth was infected, it may be recommended to wait a short period of time prior to placing a bone graft in the area.
Sinus Lift
A sinus lift, also sometimes referred to as sinus augmentation, is performed when there is a need to increase the amount of bone structure in the molar and/or pre-molar section of the upper jawbone. This surgery is usually performed for the purpose of supporting a dental implant, which can be placed once the bone shows sufficient density and volume to support the implants.
What Happens During a Jaw Bone Graft?
Here's what you can expect during your jaw bone graft at Community Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery:
- As with any other procedures at Community Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, you will be provided with options for anesthesia ranging from oral sedation, nitrous oxide sedation, intravenous sedation, or local anesthesia only.
- Dr. Khader will ensure that your mouth is completely numb using a local anesthetic.
- Then, an incision will be made in the gum tissue to move it back to expose your jawbone.
- Next, the area is cleaned and the bone grafting material is placed.
- Lastly, the gum tissue will be placed back over the exposed area and closed with stitches.
Can Bone Grafting Prevent Future Dental Issues?
Bone grafting does more than just provide a foundation for dental implants; it can also play a significant role in preventing future dental issues. By preserving or restoring the jawbone's integrity, bone grafting helps maintain the shape and structure of your face and jaw, preventing the sunken look often associated with tooth loss. By providing a stable base for dental implants, bone grafting in turn helps maintain healthy alignment of surrounding teeth, preventing issues like misalignment and abnormal wear.
Is Dental Bone Grafting Painful?
During your procedure, you shouldn't feel any pain, and once the anesthetic has worn off, over-the-counter medications should be able to handle your discomfort. If the bone is harvested from another area of your body, the recovery process may be more painful depending on the location and how much bone was taken.
Who is a Good Candidate for Bone Grafting?
Patients who have experienced bone loss in the jaw due to tooth loss, periodontal disease, injury, or pathologies including tumors can be assessed for their candidacy for bone grafting. Some of the factors that we need to consider as we are determining if you are a good candidate for bone grafting are the condition and shape of your jawbone, overall health, oral hygiene habits, and a commitment to follow through with the necessary pre-and post-procedure care. During your consultation at Community Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Khader will assess your oral and general health to determine if bone grafting is the right choice for you.
Is Jaw Bone Grafting for Dental Implants Common?
Just as tooth loss is a common oral health problem, jaw bone grafting is very common.
Bone Grafting for Different Ages
Bone grafting and dental implants can be considered for patients of a wide age range. While aging can lead to tooth loss or bone loss requiring bone grafting, younger patients might also need grafting due to injuries, pathologies, or congenital defects. However, for younger patients, especially those in their teens, we have to balance the completion of growth with the process of grafting and implant placement. We often have to wait until their jawbones have fully developed before proceeding. Our team at Community Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery carefully considers the unique needs of each age group to ensure the best possible outcome., jaw bone grafting is very common.
Post-Procedure Care and Maintenance
After a bone grafting procedure, proper care is crucial for successful healing and the long-term success of dental implants. Following the surgery, you'll receive detailed instructions from Dr. Khader on how to care for your mouth. This typically includes guidelines on oral hygiene, diet, and any necessary medications to manage pain and prevent infection. It's essential to avoid disturbing the graft site, so gentle brushing and avoiding certain foods may be recommended. Regular follow-up appointments at Community Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will ensure your healing process is on track and address any concerns promptly., jaw bone grafting is very common.
Schedule Your Dental Implant Consultation Today
No one looks forward to undergoing dental surgery, but sometimes it's necessary to achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you've always wanted. At Community Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, our trusted team ensures your bone grafting procedure goes as smoothly and comfortably as possible.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about how bone grafting for dental implants could be the first step to a healthier, more radiant smile!
