The people who need dental implants the most have sometimes lost too much bone tissue in the jaw to support them.
The highly trained team at Enlighten Dental in Vancouver, BC, can perform a bone graft to boost your candidacy for implants.
What makes a dental bone graft so effective?
By triggering new bone growth, a bone graft not only makes the jawbone stronger but can halt the deterioration that usually follows tooth loss.
A weak jawbone can undermine your long-term oral health, leaving you more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth decay. A bone graft can consequently boost your overall health.
A study published in Oral & Implantology found that implants anchored in regenerated bone tissue are just as successful as those placed in natural bone.
What does a bone graft look like in action?
A bone graft is a type of oral surgery that is designed to restore areas of the jaw that have been affected by bone recession. For most patients, a graft can be completed in a same-day, outpatient surgery. During the procedure, one of our doctors will use your own bone tissue, donor tissue, or a synthetic substitute to add volume and density to your jaw.
Over the next few months, the graft will fuse with your existing bone and promote the growth of new tissue, giving your smile a healthy foundation for subsequent treatments like dental implants.
Is the procedure really worth it?
When might a bone graft be recommended?
Bone tissue can deteriorate due to periodontal disease, reducing the support provided to teeth.
Left untreated, loose teeth can fall out and lead to bone loss. A graft can strengthen a weakened foundation.
Certain conditions, such as birth defects, can result in missing portions of jawbone tissue.
An injury due to a car accident or other causes may damage the jawbone.
Soon after teeth fall out, the jawbone tissue begins to recede because it is no longer stimulated by the tooth roots. If you have waited to replace missing teeth, it is likely that you have experienced jawbone atrophy. This can impact your candidacy for dental implants since the posts require sufficient jawbone tissue to hold the implant securely in place. However, bone grafting can often improve your eligibility for dental implants by supplementing the tissue that has been lost.
Do I qualify for bone grafting?
The doctor will recommend one of several types of bone grafting to address your condition depending on the location and amount of tissue that has been lost.
If you have certain medical conditions such as an autoimmune disorder, you may be at a higher risk of complications because it impairs your ability to heal properly.
Is receiving a bone graft painful?
As a holistic dental practice, we are focused on our patients' safety and comfort. We thoroughly plan your procedure and use minimally invasive techniques to ensure our bone grafting procedures are as painless as possible. Additionally, a local anesthetic is administered to numb the treatment area and sedation can be provided to help you feel at ease throughout the procedure.
How does bone grafting work?
Is healing after the treatment an intensive process?
We use platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) at our Vancouver practice to expedite healing after bone grafting procedures. PRF uses your body's own growth factors to stimulate healing of hard and soft tissues. These growth factors are separated from your blood using advanced technology. When applied to the grafted area, it can promote the tissues to begin healing, allowing for a more pleasant recovery.
What does the bone grafting procedure entail?
Although a bone graft is a fairly standard surgical procedure to prepare patients for dental implants, we want you to be in the best possible health leading up to your surgery. Our team works closely with Kinetic Patterns Medical Clinic to assess your overall health and ensure that you are a suitable candidate for oral surgery. In the days leading up to your procedure, you can promote the safety and success of your treatment by:
You might also be asked to quit smoking for some period of time if you are a smoker and you should closely monitor any chronic conditions, such as diabetes.
Depending on the type of bone graft you receive, your procedure may vary slightly. Some bone grafts are more complex than others, however, they share several basic steps. Bone grafting is an outpatient procedure so you will be able to return home shortly after surgery.
We use platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to expedite healing after bone grafting procedures.
Our Vancouver team will guide you through your recovery...
Bone grafts are performed on an outpatient basis, so you will get to go home on the same day as your surgery. If you received oral sedation in addition to local anesthesia, you will need a close friend or family member to drive you home.
Immediately after your visit, you should:
Although the recovery time varies from patient to patient, many are fully healed within three months. Because habits like smoking can slow down your body's healing ability and increase the risk of infection, you should avoid the habit before and after your surgery. Once your graft is healed, you will come back to our Vancouver office to complete the next phase of your treatment.
Many patients are fully healed in as little as three months.
As with any surgery, a bone graft carries some risks, including:
However, our Vancouver, BC, doctors take great care in planning and performing your surgery to greatly reduce the already low risk of complications.
Most patients at our Vancouver, BC, office enjoy great results after their surgery. In addition to giving your smile a healthy foundation for restorative treatments, a stronger, healthier jaw can improve the shape and fullness of your face, helping you look and feel younger.
At Enlighten Dental in Vancouver, we work closely with Kinetic Patterns Medical Clinic to provide holistic dentistry treatments.
Together, we can design treatment protocols customized to your health needs. Schedule an appointment today by calling (604) 876-9228 or contacting us online.
Been visiting the office for dental work and holistic healing for a long time. Staff go out of their way to accommodate clients and make the visit pleasant. Great technical expertise and demonstrated skill. Ara is friendly and has helped me tremendously. Only place for me. Andy M.
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