The alveolar bone is a part of the maxillary and mandibular bone that surrounds the teeth and forms the tooth sockets. It holds the tooth firmly in place providing anchorage and a strong foundation. However, certain oral conditions like gum disease, tooth removal, and trauma can compromise the height, shape, and density of the alveolar bone. But this can be reversed through surgical procedures like bone grafting offered by the dentist in Houston, TX.
These procedures help safeguard and enhance the integrity and vitality of your bone to anchor the teeth or restorative prostheses firmly.
| Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that uses the transplanted bone to repair and rebuild the diseased or damaged jawbone. The graft material is extracted from your body, from a donor, or it could be synthetic. A bone graft helps to reinforce the weakened or lost alveolar bone that is responsible for stabilizing your teeth. It effectively counteracts the natural resorption of the jaw bone post-tooth extraction. This helps to preserve both your facial profile and your overall oral function. |
Why is bone grafting indicated?
The procedure may be recommended if you:
- Need to get your tooth extracted
- Plan to replace missing teeth with a dental implant
- Need to rebuild the jaw before getting dentures
- Having areas of bone loss due to gum disease
How is bone grafting performed?
Your dentist will assess your oral cavity and recommend several full-mouth X-rays to evaluate the exact height and thickness of the bone to determine the amount and type of graft material needed.
The procedure is as follows:
- You will receive local anesthesia (a numbing agent) before the procedure, and your vitals (BP, heart rate, pulse) will be monitored.
- The concerned area will be disinfected with an antiseptic solution.
- Your dentist will then proceed to make a small cut or incision in the gums using a scalpel (surgical knife) to expose the bone.
- The gum flap will be raised and the bone material will be placed between two sections of the bone that need to fuse together.
- The bone graft will be secured using special screws or adhesive material.
- The gum flap will be repositioned and sutured to allow optimal healing.
It may take a few months for the graft to fuse and aid in the integration of the bone before your jaw is strong enough to receive implants.
Takeaway
Bone loss can be detrimental to your oral health and cause an array of problems, including mobility, and tooth loss. Dental bone grafts help improve your candidacy for dental implants and other restorative procedures, thereby helping in oral rehabilitation and improving your quality of life.
