If you’re missing one or more teeth, you probably know by now that dental implants are the absolute best method of replacement. Nothing else replaces the missing tooth and its root, keeping your jawbone intact and even preventing further tooth loss. But sometimes, teeth have gone missing for so long that significant degeneration has occurred in the jaw — and a little preparation is necessary before dental implants can be successful. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of bone grafting your Texas Wisdom Teeth dentist chooses from to prepare your mouth for the sturdiest tooth replacement.

Dental Implants Need Bone to Work

The thing that makes dental implants the best tooth replacement option available is the fact that they become osseointegrated, or fused with your jawbone. Once integration has occurred, the implant is as sturdy as any other bone in your body — but to do so, adequate material must exist in the first place. When there’s not enough existing jawbone, a bone graft is the only way for dental implants to work.

Different Types of Bone Grafting Methods

Bone grafting has existed for ages, and many types have proven to be successful. A few of the most common are listed below.

Autogenous Bone Graft

The most common type of bone grafting available involves taking bone from elsewhere in the body and placing it where bone has been lost in the mouth. Common donor spots for oral surgery include the chin and wisdom tooth areas. For larger amounts of healthy bone, the hip and shin bone may be harvested instead.

Allograft

An allograft harvests bone for bone grafting from another very common source — a bone bank, which uses the healthy bones of cadavers.

Alloplastic

Sometimes, an alloplastic graft may be preferred for bone grafting in oral surgeries. It uses a safe, trusted synthetic material to make your jawbone more sturdy.

Xenograft

It sounds strange, but sometimes a cow’s bone is a good choice for bone grafting before oral surgeries. It’s a perfectly safe option that has been used for many years — and it means no extra discomfort for you or a secondary donor.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

If you’ve always been interested in dental implants but thought you weren’t a good candidate due to your bone loss, we’ve got good news for you: bone grafts help thousands of patients complete their smiles with dental implants each year. Click here to find out how we can help you achieve your smile dreams at Texas Wisdom Teeth today!