Choosing dental implants is a big step. Unlike other solutions for missing teeth, they can take multiple appointments and several months of healing time. However, once your implant fuses with your jawbone, you have a permanent tooth replacement option that functions just like a natural tooth.
Before you can begin the implant process, it’s essential to determine whether you have enough healthy jawbone for the titanium post that supports your artificial tooth. Fortunately, if you don’t, bone grafting can restore the volume and bone density in your jaw.
At Northwoods Dental Group, Dr. Nathan Klabunde and his team, have extensive experience in general and cosmetic dentistry. If you have tooth loss, he can provide natural-looking replacement options, including dental implants — widely considered the gold standard of restoration techniques.
In this blog, Dr. Klabunde explains how bone grafts work and how they can increase the success of your implant procedure.
Two common dental issues can seriously impact the health of your jawbone. One is periodontitis, more commonly known as gum disease. This severe infection affects your gums and damages soft tissue, but it doesn’t stop there. Without treatment, it can even destroy the bone in your mouth.
The other dental problem that can have a profound effect on your jawbone is exactly why you are considering dental implants: missing teeth. This issue occurs because your bones are constantly remodeling themselves. In your jaw, this process gets activated by chewing and biting.
When you no longer have a tooth stimulating the jawbone in that manner, bone in the area starts to break down and doesn’t regenerate as quickly.
Since a dental implant fuses to your jawbone, simulating a natural tooth root, you need plenty of healthy bone for support. Dr. Klabunde uses bone grafting to rebuild these areas and create a strong, solid base.
When you get a bone graft, the tissue encourages new cell growth in the area. As natural bone returns, it absorbs the graft, leaving you with a fully integrated, healthy jawbone that can support your new implant.
There are different bone grafting materials, including:
An estimated 50% of implant surgeries require some form of bone grafting. This step increases the success rate of your procedure, providing a dental restoration that lasts a lifetime. But bone grafting can provide additional benefits, including:
Whether you have minor or severe jawbone deterioration, Dr. Klabunde can guide you through the best options based on your oral health.
Ready to learn more about implants and bone grafting? Ccontact our office in Columbus, Ohio, to schedule your dental exam today.
