Do you want dental implants but don’t have the proper jawbone support? Here at Lake Country Dental, there have been plenty of patients that have had hurdles like this when pursuing dental implants. For those dealing with inadequate jawbone support, we recommend looking into bone grafting. This supplemental procedure can be a great method for restoring the jaw to prepare for the dental implant to be placed. This is an important aspect of dental implants because the jawbone is the foundation for implant stability. Osseointegration, or the fusion of the implant to the jawbone, will make your implant feel and act just like natural teeth. Dr. Snider explains what bone grafting is and how it can be helpful in your dental implant journey.
What is Bone Grafting?
This supplemental procedure will strengthen your jaw, creating a solid base for dental implants to attach to. This procedure involves adding bone to weakened areas of the jaw to remedy jawbone deterioration. The grafting material used can either be synthetic or natural, which will come from other areas of the patient’s body or a donor. Here is a quick breakdown of the types of bone grafts possible for patients pursuing dental implants:
- Autograft: This procedure entails using bone taken from the patient’s own body. It can often be taken from the chin or the hip.
- Synthetic: If a patient doesn’t want to use bone from their own body or a donor, they can use a material that is synthetic yet biocompatible.
- Allograft: This type of bone graft uses bone from a donor or a genetically similar organism. This can be a great option for patients that don’t qualify for an autograft.
In most cases, building up the bone with a bone graft is highly successful. The timing of your bone grafting procedure can vary depending on your specific case. For some patients, the bone graft can occur at the same time as dental implants. For others, the procedure will need to happen before dental implants can be placed. The final decision on the timing of your bone grafting is up to Dr. Snider and Dr. Marr, and the decision is based on the extent of your bone loss.
Achieve a Stunning Smile at Lake Country Dental
Bone grafting is an excellent option for patients that don’t have the proper jaw support for dental implants. If you still want to get a brilliant smile, a deteriorated jawbone won’t entirely rule dental implants out. Implants can still be a viable option with the use of a supplemental procedure like bone grafting. This extra procedure is an investment in the success of your dental implants. At our office in Fort Worth, TX, Dr. Snider and Dr. Marr will perform an oral examination to determine if a supplemental procedure is necessary. We encourage you to contact our office to schedule your consultation in order to see how dental implants can help your smile.