Is Bone Grafting Necessary Before a Dental Implant Procedure?

No, it’s not necessary, unless you lack enough bone density. Dental implants are metal screws fixed on the jaw bone. These titanium screws act as roots for the teeth and as such they need adequate bone support. Before you get the dental implants near you, the dentist often does a comprehensive dental assessment to check your bone density. If you have insufficient bone support, a bone graft may be done, or the dentist will choose an alternate missing teeth replacement.

What Causes Bone Loss?

People with missing often suffer from bone loss. The alveolar bone, which holds the teeth, gets reabsorbed in the body when it is left bare for an extended period. According to some reports, people who have their permanent teeth removed are at risk of losing about 12 percent of the supporting bone in the first year. The reabsorption of the bone causes the jaw and the teeth to weaken. Furthermore, these gaps can cause the surrounding teeth to shift and occupy the available spaces, further weakening the teeth.

Dental implants in Welland, ON, are not suitable for you if you have lost significant bone support.

You also need to have healthy teeth and gums, without infections and have good habits for the implants to be fixed.

At What Point is Bone Graft Done?

Bone grafting is the first step of the dental implant procedure and is usually done the day of your first appointment or a few days after. For the procedure to be done, the dentist will take bone granules from a cadaver or your hip bone (requires another surgery). These granules are attached to the jaw bone to stimulate new bone growth. It will take between two weeks to two months to have the gums heal. However, new bone can take longer to grow and be ready for the implant.

During this time, you will be required to visit the dentist for monitoring the bone growth.

How Long Does It Take for the Implant to be Fixed After Bone Graft?

The bone regeneration process differs from person to person. But in most cases, your jaw can be ready for implant surgery within four to six months after bone grafting.

What Happens After?

The dental implant procedure will follow after the new bone develops. The process is done in several steps:

• Fixing the implant

Our dentist in Welland, ON, will open the gums to access the jaw. He will drill the jaw bone and fix the implants. The gums are stitched to facilitate healing. This process is not painful as perceived to be because the dentist will use anesthesia. Conscious sedation may also be used to relax and keep you calm during the procedure.

It can take several months for the jaw to heal and the implant to fuse to the bone. The osseointegration process needs to be successful because it offers support for the implants. If it’s not successful, the implant treatment process will fail (hence the need for strong bone support).

• Placing the abutment

The dentist will reopen the gums to access the implant and fix the abutment. This connects the implant and crown. The gums are closed, and it can take two weeks to recover. A dental impression is taken to make the crowns. At times the dentist may cover the gums with temporary crowns to protect the gums.

• Fixing the crowns

These permanent crowns can either be removable or fixed. The removable crowns are usually used on people looking for full mouth dental implants. The dentist may use the all-on-4 dental implants which combine dental implants and dentures.

The fixed crowns are either cemented or screwed in place.

What Can You Expect After the Implant Procedure?

You will experience discomfort and swelling after the procedure. The dentist will prescribe pain medications and antibiotics to ease pain and prevent infections. If the swelling and pain persist a day after the procedure, then you may need to visit your oral surgeon or dentist for assessment and treatment.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Rose City Dental Centre for more information on bone grafting and dental implant procedures.