One of the essential requirements for dental implants is that a patient possesses adequate bone density and height in their jaw to support the implants. If the bone is not large enough or strong enough, the implants may fail to bond with it. If, however, during your dental implant consultation, our team determines that your bone cannot support dental implants, that does not necessarily bar you from receiving them. Following a bone augmentation procedure, you may be able to avail yourself of all the benefits of implant-supported tooth replacement.
Bone augmentation, sometimes called a bone graft, is a surgical procedure wherein extra bone material gets added to the bone that will support dental implants. The new material bonds with the existing bone, thus making it strong enough and big enough to work well with dental implants.
There are a number of different types of bone grafting procedures. In some cases, a bit of bone from another part of the patient’s own body may be used. In other cases, artificial or donor bone is used. The area of the mouth where the bone augmentation takes place, as well as the amount of new bone needed, also affect the specifics of the procedure.
There are a number of factors that might lead to the need for bone augmentation:
When you speak to the dentist about your upcoming dental implant journey, he will let you know whether you need bone augmentation. He will also explain the specifics of the surgery and help you prepare for it.
If your bone augmentation treatment will be fairly minor, it is possible that it will take place at the same time as your dental implant placement surgery. However, it is also possible that you will need a separate surgery for bone augmentation. Following bone augmentation, you may have to wait a few months while the grafted material bonds with your body before you can receive dental implants.
Would you like to learn more about dental implants and bone augmentation? Contact Torrington Dental Care today.