If you’ve experienced bone loss in your jaw due to missing teeth, bone grafting may be recommended. This procedure is often essential for ensuring that there’s enough bone density for successful dental implant placement. However, it’s important to bear in mind that not everyone will be considered an ideal candidate for the treatment. Below is a closer look at bone grafting and some of the factors that might affect your eligibility for it.
How Does Bone Grafting Work?
Bone grafting can be used to rebuild and strengthen a deteriorated jawbone. During this procedure, your oral surgeon will apply grafting material (usually bone tissue taken from a different part of the body) to the areas where bone density is lacking. Said grafting material will help stimulate the growth of new bone cells, thus adding height and width to the jawbone. Eventually, there should be enough bone present to act as a solid foundation for your implant posts.
What Factors Can Hurt Your Candidacy for Bone Grafting?
Even though bone grafting is considered safe for most people, it’s often not the best choice for patients who:
- Are currently suffering from osteoporosis, uncontrolled diabetes, and other medical conditions that could slow down healing.
- Have severe gum disease, which can lead to further deterioration of the bone and therefore cause bone grafting to fail.
- Have any kind of autoimmune condition that can interfere with the regeneration of the jawbone.
- Use cigarettes and other tobacco products that can impair the healing process.
Is Bone Grafting a Good Fit for You?
In order to determine the answer to this question, your oral surgeon will need to perform a thorough examination of your mouth as well as a careful review of your overall health history. Once they’ve gathered the necessary information, they can discuss whether a bone graft is right for you.
It should be noted that even if you are eligible for bone grafting, it could still ultimately fail if you don’t take proper care of your mouth afterwards. As such, before you commit to the procedure, you should make sure that you’re fully prepared to follow any aftercare instructions that your oral surgeon gives you.
Remember, not everyone is a candidate for bone grafting, but if it is a viable option for you, it could be a crucial step of the process of replacing your missing teeth with natural-looking dental implants, thus allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a complete smile again.
About the Practice
At Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery, our oral surgeons always make sure that our patients are able to enjoy comfortable, high-quality care. Thanks to the expertise of our team, we’re able to offer a wide range of services, including bone grafting for preparing the jaw for dental implants. If you would like to learn more about bone grafting, you can schedule a consultation at our office in Reston by visiting our website or calling (703) 736-1640.