Bone Augmentation Before Implant Surgery: 3 Things You Should Know
To place dental implants, dentists have to have a solid, thick jawbone to drill into. If your bone has deteriorated due to tooth loss, periodontal disease, trauma or a host of other reasons, you will have to undergo bone augmentation before your implant surgery. Bone augmentation procedures vary greatly, depending on your needs. If you have lost a lot of bone, you can expect a more complicated procedure. If your bone loss is minimal, however, you will probably undergo a less involved procedure and enjoy quicker recovery times. Regardless, there are a few things you should know before your bone augmentation procedure.
Type of Bone Used
In most cases, your own bone will be used for the procedure. Harvest sites vary dramatically, depending on how much bone you need. Bone can be harvested from your chin, upper jaw area, shin and the hip joint. If necessary, your dentist can use bone from a cadaver or a bone substitute, which usually comes from a cow.
Less invasive procedures can be performed right in your dentist's office. However, if you have to have bone harvested from your hip, you will likely have to have surgery in a hospital.
Time Requirements for Healing
Once the bone graft is finished, your body needs time to heal. During this time, your jaw will begin to accept the bone graft and to grow new bone. In some cases, it can take up to 9 months for enough bone to grow to support an implant. After enough time has passed, your dentist will be able to place the abutment part of the implant into your bone. After you heal from this procedure, you will be able to accept the crown or visual portion of the implant. Healing can take up to 6 months.
If you don't require a large bone graft, your dentist may be able to place the abutment for your implant on the day of your bone graft surgery. However, you will still have to wait several months to heal before you can get a crown.
Success Rate of Bone Grafts
The success rate for bone grafts is very high. While complications, such as infection and graft failure, can occur, they are rare. If complications do occur, your dentist may have to remove the bone graft and perform another one later on.
Many people require bone augmentation before they can accept dental implants. For more information, contact Woodland Family Dental or a similar location.