Bone Grafting
As soon as you lose a tooth, your body starts to absorb the minerals in your jaw to use elsewhere. The result is bone loss in your jaw over time, which can make it difficult or impossible for our Ann Arbor, MI, dentists to place dental implants.
The good news is that you may be a . Bone grafting allows us to build up new bone in the area of the jaw that used to support teeth. That way, we’re able to increase the width, height, and density of the bone tissue.
Here’s what you need to know about bone grafting for dental implants.
What to Expect
It’s important that you take action immediately after losing a tooth. The longer you wait to explore your tooth replacement options, the more bone density you’ll lose. Losing too much bone density will limit your treatment options.
is a minor surgical procedure. During the appointment, the surgeon will make a small incision in your gum to access the underlying bone. Then, they’ll add the new grafting material.
The following types of bone grafts have been proven to be safe and effective:
- Autograft: Harvested from elsewhere in your body, such as your hip.
- Allograft: Comes from a different person who’s typically deceased.
- Xenograft: Comes from an animal, such as a cow or pig.
- Alloplast: Uses synthetic materials, such as calcium phosphate.
As you heal, your body will produce new bone cells which will deposit around the grafting material. Over time, your body will absorb the grafting material and you’ll be left with your own new bone tissue.
Once you heal from bone grafting, your dentist will explain your next steps for placing dental implants.
Request an Appointment With Us
Ready to learn if you’re a candidate for bone grafting? Schedule an appointment with one of our dental implant dentists in Ann Arbor, MI. They’d be more than happy to help you explore your treatment options after tooth loss.
To schedule an appointment, please call Excel Dental at (734) 929-9999. You may also fill out our online contact form.