If you’re one of the many people living with tooth loss, you probably got a little excited when you heard about dental implants. These titanium posts that support artificial teeth are surgically placed in the jaw where they naturally fuse to the surrounding bone structure, allowing them to look and function just like the real thing. However, your dentist may have told you that you need bone grafts before you can receive dental implants. Here’s why getting bone grafts can be a necessary step to replacing your teeth.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
The process of getting dental implants begins with a consultation with your dentist, during which they will examine your mouth and jaws to determine that you meet the criteria for receiving them. If they find any issues like gum disease or tooth decay, they will have to be treated and resolved before implants can be placed. Dental implants are designed to be surgically positioned within the jaw, where they fuse to the bone structure through the natural process of osseointegration. Once the implant has healed, a lifelike artificial tooth will be mounted on it above the gumline.
However, dental implants need sufficient bone mass in the jaw to be placed successfully. Teeth provide the jawbone with the stimulation it needs to stay healthy and strong, and the bone structure will begin to recede after a tooth is lost. This can cause a person seeking dental implants to have an insufficient amount of jawbone to host implants. Some other patients will have jawbones too thin for implants to begin with. Luckily, gum grafts can reinforce the jawbones of many patients, allowing them to become great candidates for dental implants later.
How Do Bone Grafts Work?
Bone grafting is a medical procedure that repairs or rebuilds weakened or damaged bone structures. To reinforce a patient’s jaw for dental implants, a dentist or oral surgeon will surgically place donated bone structure along the jawbone through small incisions in the gums. While this donated bone is usually taken from the patient’s body, it is sometimes taken from another donor. It can take up to nine months to heal from a bone graft, after which you should be ready to receive dental implants.
Don’t let a thin jaw keep you from enjoying a beautifully restored smile. Consulting with your dentist can help determine the best path for you to become an excellent candidate for dental implants.
About the Practice
Texas Wisdom Teeth and Dental Implants provides for the oral surgery needs of Dallas, TX. Led by Dr. Tamir Anver, the staff ensures that each patient receives courteous and compassionate service in a friendly and comforting environment. Areas of expertise include oral surgery such as wisdom teeth removal and dental implant placement. To schedule a consultation for dental implants, contact the office online or dial (972) 960-1111.