If you’re seeking a reliable way to replace one or more missing teeth, you might benefit from dental implants. Unlike dentures or dental bridges, these replacements are placed directly into your jawbone, providing additional strength and stability over the alternatives.
However, if you’ve just been informed that you will need an additional bone graft before proceeding, you might have some questions about why it’s required. Continue reading to learn more about why this is sometimes necessary and what to expect from the procedure!
Why Do I Need a Bone Graft for Dental Implants?
Did you know that the roots of your teeth help maintain your jaw? They stimulate new bone growth with each bite down, which keeps the foundation of your mouth active and healthy. When one tooth goes missing, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding bone mass in the underlying jaw within the first year. Then, as your jawbone continues to deteriorate over time, you might experience additional tooth loss or other concerns.
If your jawbone is too thin, it’s likely not strong enough to support your dental implants once they’re placed. Furthermore, you’re more likely to experience failure because you might not be able to generate enough new bone material to fuse with the support pole of your new tooth. This is especially true if you’re having implants placed in your upper arch, which is located next to the sinus cavities in your face. Thankfully, a bone graft procedure can often provide the necessary structure to continue with your chosen restoration.
What Happens During a Bone Graft Procedure?
First, your provider will numb the area with a local anesthetic and will probably sedate you so that you feel calm and comfortable throughout your appointment. Then, they create a small opening in your gum tissues to access your jawbone. Next, they carefully place either synthetic bone material or organic tissues extracted from your own body or some other source, like bovine donation. This may be held in place with titanium screws to integrate with your natural jawbone during recovery to strengthen the foundation of your mouth.
How Long Must I Wait to Get Dental Implants?
It can take several months for your mouth to mend enough to proceed with dental implants because that’s how long it takes to integrate permanently with your existing bone structure. It often takes 3 to 6 months for bone grafts to heal, though if you’ve had a sinus graft, the anatomy of the cavity can require up to 8 to 12 months to recover.
You will likely need to attend regular follow-up appointments so your provider can monitor your recovery to avoid potential complications. They’ll let you know when it’s safe to proceed with the dental implant surgery.
If you have additional questions about why your provider recommended a bone graft, asking them directly is the best way to get accurate answers based on your unique circumstances!
Meet the Author
Dr. Marjan Salari has decades of experience helping people improve their lives by enhancing their smiles. She earned her dental degree from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium) and then pursued her first Prosthodontics residency in Europe. She then moved to the U.S. and completed a 3-year residency at Nova Southeastern University. Today, she combines a compassionate approach with state-of-the-art technology to provide a comprehensive menu of services under one roof, including dental implants. You can request an appointment on the website or call (703) 763-0800.