Dental Bone Grafting in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island

Restore Your Health With Bone Grafting

If, due to tooth loss or trauma you have experienced a loss of bone, it may be necessary to build up this bone material in order to place a dental implant or other restorative device. At Dental365, we provide convenient, expert care that can restore your bone loss with extremely high success rates, as well as short recovery periods.

What is dental bone grafting?

Bone grafting is a common procedure. The additional bone material is often taken from the patient themselves, harvested from other areas of the mouth where drilling may have taken place and those bone fragments are suctioned from the mouth and used for the graft. In some cases, cadaver bones fragments are used. These fragments have been harvested by bone banks and are perfectly safe to use.

Why is bone grafting needed for dental implants or dentures?

If you have ever lost a tooth and did not replace it, your jawbone may have deteriorated over time. This loss of bone mass makes it difficult, and sometimes impossible, to get dental implants or dentures without first having corrective procedures to restore the bone loss.

Where does the bone come from for a dental bone graft?

There are a few different types of bone grafts, including:

• Autograft, in which bone is sourced from the patient’s jaw, hip, or another area.
• Allograft, which involves bone sourced from a cadaver donor.
• Xenoplast, which is made of animal bone.
• Alloplast, made from synthetic calcium, phosphorous and hydroxylapatite.

Dentists determine the most suitable type of grafting material based on their experience with given sources and on the patient’s needs.

What kinds of bone grafting are used at Dental365?

The following different bone grafting procedures are commonly needed to correct bone loss before a patient is able to get dental implants or dentures:

Ridge Augmentation

Using a process called ridge augmentation, the deteriorated bone structure can be restored. Ridge Augmentation is the process of lifting the gum and exposing the deficient bone area. Then, a bone-like substance is used in the area to improve the appearance of the mouth and to help improve chances for restorative services. With ridge augmentation, dental implants can be applied, last for years and will feel like your own natural teeth.

Sinus Augmentation / Sinus Lift Bone Graft

Replacing your upper back teeth with dental implants may require your sinus floor to be repositioned in order to create enough space for the implants.

During a simple procedure called sinus augmentation, various dental bone graft materials are used to encourage bone growth and eventually allow enough stability for the dental implant.

In some cases, it may be possible to gently “push up” the bone under the sinus floor resulting in lifting the floor of the “dropped” sinus. And place bone replacement materials beneath the lifted bone. This bone material is replaced as your body introduces new bone into the area.

What happens after a dental bone graft?

After donor bone is inserted, the body is stimulated to make new bone around it. It can take several months for sufficient bone growth to have occurred to support dental implants. Once the jawbone has healed, the dentist can move forward with the placement of small titanium posts.

Is a synthetic bone graft safe?

Synthetic bone graft material is safe and effective. The material made of calcium and other minerals mimics bone and is highly capable of stimulating new bone growth. When synthetic grafts are used, there is no risk of disease or infection transfer and the dentist obtains the necessary amount of material every time. Only a single process is needed for a synthetic graft, no bone is taken from another part of the body.

Are dental bone grafts painful?

Dental bone grafting is performed using a local anesthetic, which numbs the nerve endings in the jaw. In some cases, patients also include sedation into their procedure to increase physical and emotional comfort. Also, in some cases, bone is obtained from a tissue bank, eliminating the need for two surgical sites.

After bone grafting, patients can expect to feel slight discomfort. Initially, prescription pain medication may be necessary to manage this. Within about a week, it is usually possible to switch from prescription drugs to over-the-counter pain medication. We typically expect comfort to improve significantly within the first 1 to 2 weeks after bone grafting.

Can a dental bone graft get infected?

Dentists take precautions to reduce the risk of infection, such as sterilizing dental instruments before procedures. While the bone graft material can be the source of infection, this risk is very low. The most significant factor associated with graft infection is poor postoperative care. Patients are advised to stay vigilant in following the postoperative oral care instructions provided by their dentist.

What can I eat after a dental bone graft?

Through the first week of recovery after a bone graft, a soft diet is recommended. Foods that are high in calcium and vitamin D are optimal as they assist with the formation of new bone. Patients may consider options such as smoothies made with fortified milk and greek yogurt, soups, eggs, and pudding. By the end of the first week of recovery, denser foods such as cheese and soft sandwiches may be well-tolerated. Patients should listen to their body and maintain a diet in which chewing is comfortable.

Are you put to sleep for a dental bone graft?

Bone graft treatment is conducted with a local anesthetic that numbs the nerves of the mouth. Additionally, patients may also elect to have sedation administered to make them as comfortable as possible. This may include nitrous oxide, which is inhaled throughout treatment, or oral sedation, which is taken about an hour before the appointment. Both nitrous oxide and oral sedation work on the central nervous system to calm responses to stimulation. Patients are not in deep sleep during their procedure. They can breathe and swallow on their own and can communicate with the dentist if so desired. However, they are in a deeply relaxed state.

Can a dental bone graft fall out?

The bone graft is made up of several small particles of material. Patients may feel particles in their mouth for the first several days after treatment. This is normal and does not indicate that the bone graft itself has fallen out. The bone graft material is often protected by a temporary covering. The covering may fall out sometime during the first week after treatment.

How long does it take to recover from a dental bone graft?

The initial recovery from bone grafting involves tissue healing. This may occur over 1 to 2 weeks. After this initial phase, swelling and comfort are significantly better, but bone is still transforming beneath the gums. This phase of healing can take several months depending on several factors, including whether or not a patient smokes and their state of general health. Most of the time, bone grafting is done at the same time as a tooth extraction or implant procedure to reduce the number of surgical visits and the level of postoperative discomfort for the patient. Periodic follow-up visits are scheduled to follow the progress of healing.

At Dental365, our knowledgeable staff members are happy to discuss each dental bone graft surgery process with you and help you determine the best procedure for your needs. Our main goal is to help you restore your natural, healthy smile. Call us today at 844.365.DENTAL or request an appointment through our website at any time.