What is bone grafting?
To successfully place a dental implant, you must have adequate bone in quality, shape, and in the correct location. In many cases, grafting is needed to ensure the optimum result for your implant. Here at Permian Basin Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, we have vast experience and success with bone grafting. We can offer an array of options to overcome any challenge due to lack of bone at a planned dental implant site. These procedures may be done before or at the same time as your dental implant, depending on your unique situation. The most commonly performed bone grafting procedures are:
Socket Preservation. Immediately following tooth removal, bone is placed into the empty socket and the area is covered by an artificial membrane. This allows us to preserve the bone and minimize bone loss at the extraction site. In a site that does not have this procedure, the bone may begin to melt away immediately and may necessitate extensive grafting procedures if implants are needed in the future.
Ridge Expansion. If a tooth has been missing for an extended period or was never formed, the bone may have melted away in terms of height and width. Before implant placement, the area may need to be augmented with bone to allow for the appropriate size and location of the implant.
Sinus Lift. Your maxillary sinus may have enlarged or drifted downward causing a lack of bone for implant placement at the back of your upper jaw. If this is the case, we may need to lift your sinus membrane and place a bone graft to allow for the proper size implant.
Where does my bone graft come from?
There are a variety of bone grafting techniques that can be used to restore jaw function. The type of bone used will depend on the specific medical and dental needs of each patient. At Permian Basin Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, we have multiple grafting options to replace missing bone. Bone needed for the surgical procedure can be obtained from a tissue bank or from your own bone. In addition, your doctor may utilize special membranes or soft tissue grafts to protect the graft and stimulate healing and bone growth.
If you are in need of a bone grafting procedure, our skilled surgeons will complete a thorough oral consultation and X-ray evaluation to see the full condition of your teeth, gums, and jaws. They will discuss your individual options for jaw bone repair so that you completely understand your options and which bone grafting technique will provide you the best outcome. Each bone grafting option has its own set of risks and benefits, and we take pride in working closely with you to develop a plan that will restore both oral function and facial aesthetics.