Having one or more missing teeth isn’t fun. The way you eat, talk, and smile can get affected to the point where your self-esteem goes down.
If you are feeling like that, it’s probably the right time to consider getting permanent dental implants. They make a great solution for lost, damaged or decayed teeth since they look and function like normal teeth.
The process often needs surgery but it’s not as complicated as you’re probably thinking. The process is safe and made to be as pain-free as possible to the patient. For older patients and people who have had long-time missing teeth, a bone graft may be necessary to ensure that the implants are secure and stable.
Why is a Bone Grafting Procedure Sometimes Required for Dental Implants
The decision to get a bone graft will depend on your oral surgeon or implant dentist. In most cases, however, it’s not entirely needed. It’s just typically required to increase the strength or the jaw bones.
While “bone graft procedure” can sound intimidating, it’s actually a minor procedure that can be successfully done by oral surgeons. It’s a routine procedure carried out if the patient’s jaw bone is extremely weak to hold a dental implant in place. A bone graft procedure can make your jaw bones stronger to help the implants withstand chewing and other factors.
What Happens During the Procedure?
In a bone graft procedure, a piece of your bone is taken out from another part of your body or from an animal. After the bone has been grafted into the jaw bone, you’ll have to wait a few months to enable the graft to form sufficient bone along your jaws. This is to make sure that your implants will be able to stay secure and stable for a long time.
The success rate of bone grafting is generally high for dental implants. Once the bone has been grafted, your body will treat it as a natural bone, reabsorbing it after some time.
If minor grafting is required, you can get the procedure done at one visit to the clinic. After bone grafting, the rest of the surgery will follow.
Once the bone graft has healed, it should be strong enough to provide support to your implants for the rest of your life. Such support is necessary for your confidence and to maintain the natural look and function of your implants and natural teeth.
You can talk to your oral surgeon to determine the best procedures for you.
