Bone Graft in Queens, NY

You dentist uses bone grafting to support or change the bone structure that underlies your teeth. A more extensive bone graft surgery may require that your whole jaw be reshaped. More often, the treatment is performed to rescue damaged teeth or support those that may be in the early stages of danger. It is also is used to support dental implants.

When a tooth is removed, over time, the bone wears away. The surrounding bone may collapse somewhat, changing the structure of your teeth and your facial appearance. If you’ve had gum disease previously, the bones in your jaw may be weaker. So bone grafting can help you keep the structure of a tooth sound and ensure it doesn’t shift around much. A dental bone graft also may be used to maintain socket firmness after a tooth extraction, so that an implant can be inserted.

Local anesthesia usually is sufficient for less intense bone graft procedures. Sometimes, your dental surgeon might offer general anesthesia. CitiDental relies on state-of-the-art sedation dentistry techniques. The material used in bone grafting may come from your own body, from an animal or a donor. More often, it’s created synthetically. All materials are intensely sanitized so they can safely integrate with your body without rejection issues.

Once the incision is made for the bone graft, your dental surgeon fuses the new material to your jaw bone. Grafting materials from different sources can serve varying purposes. For example, bone grafting material may just serve as a placeholder, allowing your bone sufficient room to regenerate on its own. At other times, the bone grafting material has properties that stimulate bone growth. If real bone is used, it fuses to your jaw and then becomes a part of your natural bone structure.

At CitiDental, the procedure is tailored specifically to your needs. That’s why it’s preferable to have a dental team that you already know and trust. Share your concerns with your family dentist and you increase the chances of a successful procedure.

With the advancements made in the bone grafting process, it may be an ideal time to take advantage of the benefits. As the Creighton University School of Dentistry reports: “Many times, a dentist needs to increase the amount of bone in a patient’s jaw. Recent developments in bone grafting techniques have made implant treatment possible in cases that would have been impossible just a few years ago.”

Bone graft surgery recovery can be challenging because of the length of time you need to fully heal. Complete recovery, when the new material successfully fuses with your bone, may take as long as six months. You won’t be suffering the entire time, but the site of the surgery needs gentle care to maintain good blood flow to heal properly.

Keep all your appointments for checkups to ensure that the bone graft and implants covering it remains healthy. The success of the treatment depends a lot on how well you follow directions and take care of yourself. According to the National Institutes of Health: “There was no difference in the dental implant survival rate when implants were placed in native bone or bone-grafted sites. Smoking and lack of professional maintenance were significantly related to increased implant loss.”

Recovery looks different for everybody, so be sure to share your concerns with your dentist. You will receive the best practices you need to maintain, as well as what pain relievers are best to use following bone graft surgery. The bone graft procedure is safe and effective. Start by contacting CitiDental for a preliminary exam.