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Types of Bone Grafts
West Linn, OR


Did you know that your bones are living organs? While many of us may think that our bones are inert structures inside our bodies, they’re quite alive and are fed by a network of blood and nerves. Our mouth also has bones in it, and having healthy bones is vital to having healthy teeth. Weakened bones can lead to tooth loss, which is why we here at ZenTech Dentistry do occasionally recommend bone grafts to our patients who may require extra bone tissue at a specific site.

What is Bone Grafting and Why Do I Need It?


Tooth loss is extremely common, affecting nearly 120 million Americans. Another 40 million are missing all of their teeth. While tooth loss is indeed common, it does not come without risks to your mouth and bones. The problem with losing a tooth is that the bone that it was attached to can become compromised and your body may try to reabsorb the tissue where the tooth once was. Another reason for bone loss is gum disease, which can also lead to tooth loss.

Bone grafting gives your smile a second chance. During the procedure, we may borrow tissue from another part of your body, also known as the host site. Sometimes, however, we may use donor tissue from animals or cadavers. While that may sound a little bit unnerving, it’s quite safe and even has been shown to have a better outcome for many of our patients. The bone tissue is always sanitized and sterilized, which means that there is zero risk of infection to you from the donor tissue. Regardless where we derive the bone tissue, however, it’s important to make sure that your body does accept it. We will then graft the tissue to your bone and monitor it closely to make sure your body does not reject it.

After we perform the graft, it may take several months for your body to start to regenerate bone at the site. However, once it does heal, we’ll then be able to move forward with any other recommended procedures. Bone grafts are often used before dental implant surgery. While dental implants have a 99 percent success rate, we do need to confirm that there is an adequate healthy bone for us attach the implant.

Bone graft surgery is a straightforward and easy procedure and typically only requires a tiny incision to place the graft tissue. We usually just use local anesthesia, but for our more anxious patients, we may use general anesthesia or conscious sedation. You may notice a little bit of discomfort after the procedure, and we recommend that you take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines such as NSAIDs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Do not take aspirin, as it can cause bleeding. Do not smoke after the procedure, as it can delay healing.

If you are suffering from advanced stage gum disease, or you have lost teeth in the past, then you may be a good candidate for bone grafting. To learn more about how this procedure can benefit you, or for general information or to schedule an appointment at our office for a consultation, please give us a call today here at ZenTech Dentistry at (503) 765-9699. For new patients and those who haven't seen a dentist in a while, we offer comprehensive dental evaluations to review and assess your oral health.

Frequently Asked Questions


Different Types of Bone Grafts: What Are My Options?


At the heart of every type of graft is the same general principle. It simply involves taking tissue from one area of the body and applying it to another. The two most widely used grafts are known as allografts and autografts.

When the tissue is taken from the individual patient who requires the graft, it is known as an autograft. The tissue is, in most cases, taken from either the pelvic bone or the hip bone.

The allograft is also highly recommended though not used as frequently as the autograft. This tissue comes from a cadaver. When this tissue is taken, it is stored in a tissue bank until it is needed for the grafting procedure.

The Bone Grafting Procedure: What to Expect


Bone grafts are typically carried out by an oral surgeon to increase the width and height of the jawbone where a dental implant needs to be placed. Essentially, cells from healthy bone are grafted on a new site where it continues to grow. The new cells fuse with the bone in the new site, increasing the size and strength of the bone so it can support the placement of a dental implant.

How Long Does the Bone Grafting Process Take?


The duration of the bone grafting process can vary depending on several factors, including the type of bone graft performed, the extent of the bone defect, and the individual's healing response. Overall, the bone grafting process can take anywhere from a few months to a year or more to complete, depending on the complexity of the case and the specific treatment plan. It's essential to follow post-operative instructions provided by the surgeon and attend follow-up appointments to monitor healing progress and ensure optimal outcomes.

Is the Bone Grafting Procedure Painful?


A bone graft can be carried out under a local anesthetic, or conscious sedation; therefore, you will not feel anything during the procedure.

When patients suffer pain while chewing or have pain at their TMJ joint, a bone graft can stimulate healing and relieve the symptoms they are experiencing. This is also true for those patients who cannot completely open or close their mouths without significant discomfort. In some cases, bone grafts can be used in concert with other procedures to provide maximum coverage and relief.

Recovery After Bone Grafting: Tips and Timeline


You should give yourself some time off and take things easy. You will be given pain medication after the procedure so you should not feel uncomfortable. However, it is likely you will have some swelling and bruising, so using ice packs regularly up to 48 hours after surgery will help alleviate the swelling and aid recovery.

After a week, any sutures will have dissolved and your mouth will feel better, but it will be a minimum of three months before you can have a dental implant placed.
Talk to one of our caring patient coordinators today to schedule an appointment.
 
Dr. Frank Sioda
18676 Willamette Dr. Suite 202
West Linn, OR 97068-1718



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Bone Grafting - ZenTech Dentistry - Dental Implants West Linn, OR
Weakened bones can lead to tooth loss, which is why we recommend bone grafts and gum grafts to patients who require extra bone tissue. Call ZenTech Dentistry today!
ZenTech Dentistry - Frank K. Sioda, DMD, PC, 18676 Willamette Dr., Suite 202, West Linn, OR 97068-1718 | (503) 765-9699 | zentechdentistry.com | 11/1/2024 | Page Keywords: dentist West Linn |