Is a Bone Graft Necessary During the First Evaluation for Dental Implant Placement?

A bone graft is a surgical procedure to repair and rebuild bones through transplantation of the bone tissue. Natural bone from the patient’s body, a human tissue bank, or an animal tissue bank is added to the jaw bone. The bone graft adds density and volume in areas of the jaw where bone loss has occurred.

The procedure is necessary for patients with insufficient healthy bone at a dental implant site. Your dentist will need to place the dental bone graft during the first evaluation. This is because you need a long healing interval where the graft needs to bond with the existing jaw bone.

The dentist will set the implants in your jaw only after the graft has healed successfully. It takes several weeks for the donor bone to fuse with the jawbone. The recovery time varies since each person is unique. However, do not wait too long before going for the next phase of placing the implants. The new bone may be absorbed into the body.

Types of Bone Grafts

• Ridge Augmentation

The dentist recommends this type of graft for patients with thin jawbones. This may happen due to being toothless for a long while. Ridge augmentation increases the volume and width of the jawbone. Therefore, it provides a stable foundation for implants.

• Socket Preservation

This procedure is also known as ridge preservation. The dentist places the grafting material into the tooth socket immediately after extraction. It preserves the socket by preventing their side from caving in. the procedure is necessary if the patient will require tooth restoration.

• Periodontal Bone Graft

Advanced gum disease can affect the jawbone causing the teeth to become loose or fall out. In such a scenario, the dentist may recommend a periodontal bone graft. The graft is placed around an existing loose tooth to provide additional support and reduce mobility.

• Sinus Lift

These bone grafts are required when placing implants in the upper back teeth. They are necessary because the sinuses drop down once the upper teeth fall out or are extracted. Therefore, they invade the space that was previously occupied by tooth roots. A sinus lift procedure restores the sinus to its proper position, and then a bone graft is placed.

Why Would a Dentist Need To Do a Bone Graft?

When going for dental implants, your dentist may need to do a dental bone graft first. The adjunctive procedure may be required for patients who have had a missing tooth for a long time. The bone that supports teeth gets reabsorbed into the body leading to significant bone loss. Bone grafting provides a bone for the implant to anchor.

The dentist may need to do a bone graft due to congenital birth conditions or advanced gum disease. In addition, dental trauma that affects the jaw bone may necessitate bone grafting. The jaw location where the implant is placed can determine if you need the grafting. For example, dental implants in the upper molars are always preceded by bone grafts.

Is a Bone Graft Necessary for an Implant?

Bone grafts are not always essential for dental implant surgery. However, they are required in cases where they significantly improve the patient’s dental implant outcome. Bone grafting is considered when the bone at the implant site is not dense enough, thick enough, deep enough, or wide enough.

A dental surgeon can determine if you need a bone graft through imaging technology. Schedule a consultation with our team at Novacare Dental for a professional recommendation. They will determine which bone graft is necessary for successful dental implant surgery.

Is the Bone Graft Procedure Painful?

Contrary to what most people think, bone grafting is not painful. The dentist creates a treatment plan that ensures you are comfortable throughout the process. This process is performed under local anesthesia that is suitable for you. Your dentist may provide oral sedation, IV sedation, or nitrous oxide. General anesthesia may be used in more complicated cases.

You will experience slight swelling, pain, and bruising for a few days after the grafting. The dentist will prescribe pain relievers to manage the pain and antibiotics to prevent infections. You will also receive post-operation instructions to aid in recovery and prevent complications.