Learn More About
Bone Grafting
Types of Bone Grafts
Learn About the
Benefits of Bone Grafting
There are numerous benefits of bone grafting in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake area patients. While our doctors will go over the individual benefits of the procedure for each patient, some of the advantages patients can expect include:
- Preservation of surrounding teeth. If too much bone is lost, nearby teeth might become loose and eventually fall out.
- Preservation of the facial structure. Over time, excessive bone loss can cause a droopy profile and ill-defined jawline that drastically alters how a person looks.
- Improved ability to eat and speak. As bone deteriorates and the gums start to lose their ridge, it can become harder to chew and pronounce words effectively. Bone grafting corrects these issues.
- Stable base for dental implants. The main benefit of bone grafting is that it readies the jaw for dental implants. Patients will be able to have a long-lasting solution for their tooth loss.
- Repairs defects of the jaw. For patients who have suffered from problems in the jaw from trauma, surgery, or congenital defects, bone grafts can correct these issues.
Treatment Process
Sedation
In most cases, patients only require local anesthesia, but oral or IV sedatives can be used upon request.
Preparation
Once the patient is comfortable, one of our doctors will make a small incision in the gums. This allows them to access the bone underneath and ensure the graft goes in the correct place.
The Bone Graft
They’ll gently peel away the gum tissue and then place the bone graft in the correct spot. Once the bone is secure, they’ll close the gums, and the procedure will be over.
Recovery Instructions
It will take a few months for the patient’s jaw to stimulate the production of new bone. During this time, patients can eat and drink as usual with no restrictions. Once the healing is complete, patients will be ready for dental implants or other procedures.
Is a bone graft a major surgery?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do Bone Grafts Fail, And Why?
The short answer is “yes.” It is possible for bone grafts to fail. However, this is quite rare. Bone grafting is a very successful procedure, especially when it’s done by one of the expert oral surgeons at Coastal Virginia Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Our doctors use the latest treatment techniques to provide you with the best possible surgical outcome.
When bone grafts do fail, it’s often because a patient has not followed their aftercare and recovery instructions properly. While there’s a fairly low risk of complications after your surgery, it’s still important to follow the instructions provided to you by the team at Coastal Virginia Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
When Is Bone Grafting Necessary?
Bone grafting is necessary when your jaw bone is not strong enough to accommodate a dental implant on its own. A bone graft involves placing bone granules into the area where your jaw has weakened. Then, over time, natural bone tissue heals around the graft and strengthens the area sufficiently for a dental implant.
Bone loss can be caused by a few different things. The most common cause is tooth loss. Once you’ve lost a tooth, the jaw bone in the area will no longer be stimulated when you bite or chew. This caused “bone resorption.” Over time, the bone weakens, recedes, and grows less dense.
Bone loss can also be caused by a serious case of periodontal (gum) disease. In serious cases of gum disease, the bacteria infecting the gums can also attack and destroy bone tissue. This often also leads to tooth loss.
Oral surgeons like Dr. Frank Yeh and the team at Coastal Virginia Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery are experts in bone grafting and dental implant placement. With an appointment at our office, you can learn more about this procedure, find out if you need a bone graft, and take the first steps toward permanently replacing your missing teeth.
Are Bone Grafts Painful?
During your bone graft procedure, you will not feel any pain or discomfort. Before your procedure begins, your oral surgeon will numb your mouth for your comfort. We also offer a wide variety of dental sedation options in Virginia Beach, VA. These include nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Whether you just want to relax or you want to sleep through your entire procedure, you can choose the sedation treatment that’s right for you.
However, once your procedure is done, you may feel some pain and discomfort. Bone grafting does involve creating an opening in your gum and jaw bone, so this is normal as your tissue heals and new bone begins to form and heal around the graft material. This discomfort usually lasts only for a few days, and rarely lasts more than a week.
Pain and discomfort from bone grafts are pretty mild, though. Most patients can simply take over-the-counter pain medication to deal with post-surgical discomfort. Taking other steps like icing the cheek near the treatment area may also help with the pain.