Bone Grafting
Beverly, MA
 Dental implants are a great restorative option. They are a means for you to obtain a brand-new smile that looks natural and functions great. However, not everyone’s mouth is strong enough to support dental implants. If this is true in your case, our team at Thomas P. Rafferty, DDS can utilize bone grafting to strengthen your jawbone and prepare you for dental implants.
When Is Bone Grafting Needed?
Dental bone grafting is most often utilized to strengthen your jawbone in preparation for dental implants. Dental implants require the installation of metal posts directly into your jawbone. If your jawbone is not strong enough, it can potentially fracture or break as a result of the procedure.
Bone grafting may be recommended even if you do not decide to receive dental implants. A weakened jawbone can make you more prone to injury and contribute to poor oral health. Jawbone loss can also result in a less pronounced facial structure if left untreated. Bone grafting can correct or prevent these issues from arising.
During a bone graft, our professionals will first administer an anesthetic. They will then make an incision and graft the new bone fragments to your existing jawbone to rebuild and strengthen it. After they complete the graft, they will suture the incision site. Our team will monitor your healing process through the use of an oral exam and digital imaging.
Where Is the Bone From?
The bone fragments used for your bone graft may come from one of several locations. One of the most common origins of bone fragments for dental grafts is from cadavers. Grafts completed with cadaver bone grafts are called allografts.
The other type of bone often used for dental bone grafts is bone made from synthetic material. The type of material utilized will be chosen based on which option is best suited to meet your needs and what is readily available at the time. Both cadaver bone fragments and synthetic bone provide good success rates and will strengthen your jawbone.
How Long Is the Recovery?
The recovery process from a bone graft is very brief. Your gums may be tender for a few days after the operation and slight swelling is possible. Our team will provide you with a list of foods and drinks to avoid during this recovery process to reduce the risk of irritating the surgical site. After this initial recovery time, you should be able to resume all normal activities without restrictions.
While the initial recovery process is quick, complete bone fusion takes substantially longer. According to WebMD, it can take as little as a few months and as long as a year for the grafted material to completely fuse with your existing bone. Your healing progress is monitored through the use of digital x-rays at regularly scheduled intervals. Once this process is complete, our team can move forward in your restoration process and schedule the implant procedure.
Our professionals can determine if you need a bone graft or gum graft during an oral exam and the use of digital x-rays. If you are ready to start your journey to a brighter, healthier smile, our team at Thomas P. Rafferty, DDS can help. You can schedule your appointment by calling our office at (978) 720-9009
Frequently Asked Questions
How Safe is Bone Grafting? Understanding the Risks and Complications
Bone grafting is generally considered a safe procedure when performed by a qualified and experienced surgeon. However, like any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications associated with bone grafting.
There is a risk of infection at the surgical site, which can occur during or after the procedure. Bleeding is a common risk during any surgical procedure. Surgeons take precautions to minimize bleeding during bone grafting, but excessive bleeding may require additional intervention. There is a risk of nerve damage during bone grafting, which can cause numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in the surrounding areas. In some cases, the bone graft may not integrate properly with the surrounding bone tissue, leading to graft failure.
It's essential for patients to discuss the potential risks and complications of bone grafting with their surgeon before undergoing the procedure.
The Role of Bone Grafting in Dental Implants
Bone grafts can be used for those patients who have low bone mass and cannot receive dental implants to rebuild their lost bone mass. In this way, they help give better options to patients who would have been regarded as poor candidates.
Grafts have been used to anchor different kinds of dental appliances. Implants are held more securely in place when used in conjunction with a graft.
Preparing for Your Bone Grafting Surgery: A Checklist
Preparing for bone grafting surgery involves several steps to ensure a smooth and successful procedure.
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You will first schedule a consultation with our surgeon to discuss the procedure, review your medical history, and address any concerns or questions you may have.
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You will then need to obtain medical clearance from your primary care physician or any specialists if you have underlying medical conditions or are taking medications that may affect the surgery.
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We will perform any necessary diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or CT scans, to assess the condition of the bone and surrounding tissues and aid in treatment planning.
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We will go over your current medications with you and give you direction on if you need to stop or adjust any medications before the surgery, such as blood thinners or herbal supplements.
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If you smoke, consider quitting or reducing smoking before the surgery, as smoking can interfere with healing and increase the risk of complications.
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Follow any instructions regarding fasting before the surgery, typically starting from midnight the night before the procedure, to reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia.
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Arrange for transportation to and from your surgery, as you may not be able to drive yourself home after the procedure, especially if you will be under sedation or anesthesia. |
Bone Grafting for Periodontal Disease: How it Helps
Typically, you would not associate gum disease with your jawbone, but when you deal with advanced stages of gum disease, the jaw comes into play. The bacteria that are destroying the gumline can move down your gums and into your jawbone. This causes jawbone loss, which only increases the damage to your teeth and gums. It's important to rebuild your jawbone in order for your mouth and gums to heal.
Recovery After Bone Grafting: Timeline and Tips
Pain and discomfort are common after bone grafting surgery. This can usually be managed with pain medication and proper post-operative care. Swelling and bruising around the surgical site are common after bone grafting. This typically resolves on its own within a few days to weeks. |
