Dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. But for dental implants to be successful, there must be enough bone in the jaw. If you don’t have enough jawbone, bone grafting surgery may be necessary to restore bone density.
Restore Bone Density & Improve Implant Candidacy
Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and have become increasingly popular over the last several years. The success of dental implants depends on having enough strong, healthy bone to support them. If you don’t have enough bone density in your jaw, you may not qualify for dental implants. But there is hope! Bone grafting in San Diego is a procedure that can restore bone density and improve your candidacy for dental implants.
How Bone Loss Occurs
When you lose a tooth, the bone that supports that tooth starts to resorb or be reabsorbed by your body. The process of resorption can happen quickly, sometimes within the first few months after tooth loss. That’s why it’s so important to replace missing teeth as soon as possible. If you delay the dental implant procedure or wear dentures for a few years, you will suffer from considerable bone loss, for which you may later need bone grafting.
What is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone to support a dental implant. The bone grafting procedure generally involves inserting a bone grafting material underneath the empty socket of the missing tooth. The new bone can come from your own body (autograft), from a donor (allograft), or from a synthetic material (xenograft). Once the bone graft is placed, your body stimulates bone regeneration to restore optimal bone density.
Benefits of Bone Grafting
One of the major benefits of bone grafting in San Diego is that it improves your chances of successful dental implants. When you lose a tooth, the bone in that area begins to deteriorate. This can cause the surrounding teeth to shift, making it difficult to place dental implants. A bone graft can help to preserve the bone and make it easier to place implants.
Another benefit of bone grafting is that it can help to improve the appearance of your smile. If you have missing teeth, bone loss can cause your face to look sunken. This can make you look much older than you actually are. A bone graft can help to fill in the missing bone and give your face a more youthful appearance.
Types of Bone Grafting for Dental Implants
Socket Preservation
When a tooth is removed, the socket (the hole where the tooth was) begins to collapse. This can lead to bone loss and instability of the surrounding teeth. To prevent this, your oral surgeon may recommend a socket preservation procedure. This involves placing bone grafting in San Diego material into the socket immediately after the tooth is removed, which, in turn, preserves your jawbone and improves your ability to get implants later.
Sinus Lift
A sinus lift is often necessary when placing implants in the upper back teeth. The sinuses are located just above the teeth in this area, and if there is insufficient bone, the implant can end up in the sinus. A sinus lift involves raising the sinus floor and adding bone to the area. This is done by making an incision in the gum tissue and then lifting the sinus membrane. Bone is then grafted into the area, and the incision is closed.
Why Choose Advanced Dentistry & Implant Center?
Advanced Dentistry & Implant Center is a state-of-the-art dental clinic specializing in cutting-edge implant techniques. Our Scripps-affiliated dentist uses the latest and safest dental technologies and techniques to address your specific goals and concerns, helping you achieve and maintain the perfect teeth. Schedule an appointment to explore your options for bone grafting in San Diego.
