Bone Grafting in Oak Lawn, IL
The bone grafting procedure is required when the jawbone has deteriorated to the point where it can no longer support existing or replacement teeth. The jawbone holds the roots of teeth in place; your teeth depend on the integrity of the bone to keep from shifting when you bite or chew. When a tooth is lost, the bone, which no longer serves the function of holding the root, begins to erode until it creates a hollow cavity in your jawline. Once significant bone loss has occurred, your d doctor at Health And Happiness will need to perform a bone graft before any replacement teeth can be placed – and before further deterioration causes damage to neighboring teeth.
Do I need a bone graft?
In some cases, a bone graft is not needed to support dental implants. However, in others there is not enough bone to support the implant placement. Dentures and bridges serve the functions of the exterior part of the tooth, but not the root. Over time bone loss above the dentures or bridges may become so severe that it causes neighboring teeth to shift to the point where the false external teeth no longer fit properly. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement solution that maintains the integrity of the jawbone. For this reason, your doctor may recommend that you receive a bone graft in order to enable your jawline to receive dental implants or implant-supported dentures.
How does the procedure work?
How your doctor will proceed with the bone graft depends on upon the quantity of teeth missing from the affected area and the severity of the bone loss. There are a number of possible scenarios. If you have just recently lost a single tooth, the effects of bone loss can be mitigated quickly with little recovery time needed. In these cases, the graft can often be performed in the same procedure as placing the implant. If you have been wearing dentures for a significant period of time, your bone loss may be so severe that your dentures no longer fit properly. In this case, your jawline will require extensive restoration and the recovery period will be lengthy. This type of graft usually requires a separate surgery and a recovery period before implants can be placed.
Is bone grafting safe?
If completed by a highly trained doctor like Dr. Haralampopoulos, the surgery is safe and reliable. Your doctor will ensure that all grafting materials are completely sterile and come from a reputable national tissue bank. The best chance for the success of the surgery is using bone material from your own body, so your doctor will discuss with you all options and aspects of the procedure to make sure you firmly understand how the process will work for you.
