Bone Grafting for Dental Implants: What to Expect and Benefits

Dental implants are the most functional and natural-looking teeth replacements you’ll ever get. But since dental implants are anchored in your jawbone, one of the most crucial requirements is that your jawbone should have adequate volume and density. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. 

Tooth loss, gum disease, genetics, and other factors may cause bone loss, ruling you out from dental implants. Bone grafting services by Drs. Mircea Mitu and George D’Louhy from the Family Dental Center in Manteca, California, can restore the depleted bone material to make you eligible for dental implants.

What is bone grafting?

Natural teeth stimulate your jawbone when chewing and grinding to maintain bone tissue. However, when you lose your teeth through injury or disease, your jawbone lacks stimulation, resulting in bone loss at the site without teeth. Bone loss can affect your appearance, cause pain, limit functionality, and make you ineligible for dental implants.

Bone grafting rebuilds your bone to regain strength and stability for restorative treatments like dental implants. It also reverses facial collapse for a youthful appearance. 

Bone grafting involves placing a healthy bone on your resorbed jawbone to improve its mass and density. Your bone graft can come from several sources, including your own body, animals, human donors, and synthetic materials. Your doctor will help you choose the best graft material based on your oral health and budget. 

What to expect during bone grafting

Bone grafting is an outpatient procedure requiring 30-60 minutes to complete. The procedure starts by examining your jawbone to determine whether grafting is the best treatment. If yes, we numb your mouth and incise your gums to expose the underlying bone. Then, we place the bone graft in the intended position and stitch it to kick-start the healing process. Hours after surgery, you may experience mild pain, swelling, and bruising, which are easily manageable with pain medication and home remedies.

Your recovery period lasts between four to six weeks. During this period, your jawbone and the graft integrate into one biological structure. Once your jawbone is stabilized, your dentist can place an implant. 

Benefits of bone grafting

Wondering whether bone grafting is worth your time and money? Consider the benefits below:

• Improves your facial esthetics
• Strengthens your jawbone
• Supports your dental appliances
• Maintains your oral health and function

Need bone grafting services in Manteca, CA, and the surrounding locations? Please dial (209) 420-1205 to book an appointment with the Family Dental Center for expert dental care.

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