Bone grafting is a surgical procedure in which new bone material is used to repair or rebuild damaged jawbone. This procedure helps make your jawbone stronger while improving functionality and appearance.
Missing teeth can cause vital jawbone tissue to recede. Your teeth help maintain the shape of your jawbone, and the bone can shrink once there is no tooth root to keep it stimulated. Jawbone deterioration can also cause the skin around the mouth to sag, which may contribute to signs of premature aging.
You may need a bone graft if you do not have enough healthy jawbone to support dental implants or if bone loss has changed the shape and strength of your jaw. Jawbone deterioration may be caused by:
A strong jawbone provides the foundation dental implants need to remain stable. Bone grafting helps create that foundation so patients with insufficient bone can still move forward with implant treatment when appropriate.
There are several forms of bone grafts that may be used to help prepare your jaw for a healthier, stronger implant foundation.
A xenograft uses bone harvested from an animal, such as a cow, and provides foundational support.
During your visit, we will discuss which bone graft procedure is best for your condition. Before the procedure, anesthesia is used to help keep you comfortable while the grafting material is placed and the jaw begins the healing process.
Choosing the right dental provider is a big decision, and hearing directly from real patients makes all the difference.
