Bone grafting may seem like an intimidating procedure for some patients in Aurora, but the reality is it’s not at all. With technological advancements available today, bone grafting can be completed quickly and easily by an experienced oral surgeon and a patient can be on the road to better oral health in no time. However, understanding the process of bone grafting can help patients feel more comfortable and relaxed with the procedure since there will be no surprises.
Many times bone grafting is necessary if dental implants are required. When a person has had a missing tooth for a certain amount of time, jawbone density may have decreased, making it impossible to place dental implants without a bone graft. In a way, bone grafting could be the first step to better overall oral health for patients with a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth.
Types of Bone Grafts
There are few common types of bone grafts available for patients in Aurora. The type needed for each specific patient depends on their situation, which is determined by the oral surgeon. Here are the three most common types of bone grafts:
- Allogenic. This type of bone graft involves harvesting dead bone from a cadaver and using a freeze-dry method to process it and extract the water using a vacuum. Allogenic bone serves mostly as a framework for surrounding bone to fill the void of the missing tooth since the allogenic bone cannot grow on its own.
- Xenogenic. This bone grafting procedure involves taking bone from another species to serve as a framework to allow bone around it to grow, similar to allogenic bone grafting.
- Autogenous. This is the most common type of bone grafting procedure since the bone used comes from the patient’s body. This reduces the risk of the body rejecting the material, as well as enhancing bone growth naturally.
There are benefits and disadvantages to each of these different types of bone grafts. Visiting an oral surgeon can provide clarity as to which bone grafting procedure is suitable for each individual patient.
Bone Grafting Restores Function and Appearance
One thing every dentist in Aurora will say is bone grafting is necessary if a person has a missing tooth. Bone grafting not only restores the functional aspects of teeth by providing stability for a dental implant, but it can also ensure facial features remain attractive and give patients the aesthetic appearance they desire. The process of bone grafting itself doesn’t directly restore the aesthetic appearance, but without it, dental implants may not be able to be installed due to lack of bone density.
What Happens after Bone Grafting?
Once the bone grafting procedure is complete, the dentist will determine the time frame for installing dental implants. Every patient is different so that this timeline could be a matter of a few days or up to a few weeks. Once the area has healed properly and is strong enough to hold the dental implant, the implant can be installed, and patients can enjoy their restored smile immediately.
Ivey Oral & Facial Surgery wants to ensure every patient in Aurora knows exactly what to expect during a bone grafting procedure. Since every patient has different needs and conditions, Dr. Austin Ivey takes the time to answer every question and helps the patient feel as comfortable as possible.
To learn more about the benefits of bone grafting and how it can improve your overall oral health, contact us at (303) 493-1933 today to set up a free consultation.
