Bone Grafts for Dental Implants

Tooth loss is a common issue that affects millions of Americans throughout the country. Fortunately, losing a tooth doesn’t mean that you have to go the rest of your life with an unsightly gap in your smile. Dental implants are a preferred tooth replacement option because they have so many benefits that you can’t get anywhere else. However, not all patients are ready to get their implants right away. Some need to undergo a bone graft beforehand. Read on to learn why this is the case.

Why Does Missing Teeth Lead to Bone Loss?

The root of your tooth stimulates your jaw whenever you chew, therefore keeping it strong and healthy. However, when you lose teeth, your jawbone isn’t receiving this same stimulation. Over time, the bone tissue will be reabsorbed by the body. As time goes on, the more the bone deteriorates. This can cause difficulties when it comes to eating and speaking. It can even affect the future alignment of your surrounding teeth.

What Is Bone Grafting?

A bone graft works by transplanting bone tissue into the jaw. This bone can come from another part of the mouth, a different part of the body, or by a human or animal donor. Sometimes, synthetic material is also used. Once this new piece of bone is placed in the correct area, it will seal itself to the old bone tissue in the areas that you need it. This is a relatively minor procedure, and patients are generally sedated during the process. Most patients who receive bone grafts report that the experience was pain-free.

Why Do You Need to Have a Bone Graft?

Needing a bone graft before dental implants is fairly common. This technique is required when a patient doesn’t have a sufficient amount of healthy bone tissue in their