Dental bone grafting is a very important procedure for many people to regain their oral health and enjoy a fully complete and, above all, functional smile.
Stay to read the article and find out everything you need to know about dental bone grafting.
Dental bone grafting
A dental bone graft consists of adding bone to an area where it has been lost, usually in the mandible or maxilla. This process is necessary when our own bone is not enough to support a dental implant or to restore the appearance of our teeth, being a good solution for missing teeth.
The aim of dental bone grafting is to regenerate bone that has been lost so that it is strong enough to support a dental implant.
When is a dental bone graft needed?
The graft is performed when there is not enough bone in the mandible or maxilla to adequately support a dental implant or other treatment. The main indications for resorting to this graft are:
- Bone loss after tooth extraction
- Placement of dental implants
- Advanced periodontal disease
- Trauma or injury
- Congenital or surgical defects
- Maxillary sinus lift
Dental bone graft procedure
A bone graft in the dental area can be obtained from the patient himself or from a donor, although it is more common to use an artificial bone if the lack of bone is not too great. There are several ways of placing the dental bone:
- By means of membranes that fix the bone in the position of our choice
- Bone grafting in blocks
- For the posterior area, bone augmentation
To do this, an incision must be made in the area where the dental bone graft is to be made, lifting and separating the gum. At this point, the bone we have chosen must be placed and fixed in the maxillary area with a screw. Afterwards, the area will be covered so that the graft is not lost and it will be stitched so that saliva does not infect.
Normally, the healing time is three to four months, although if the bone is artificial, you will have to wait up to six months.
Is the procedure painful?
One thing that worries people who have to undergo surgery is the issue of pain. Dental bone grafting is painful, even though the surgery is performed under local anaesthesia. After the operation, swelling and discomfort are normal, but are usually quite manageable with medication prescribed by the specialist. So, if you are going to undergo this surgery, don’t worry, after a few days you will be able to return to your normal life.
Recommendations after dental bone grafting
If you follow these recommendations, the postoperative period for this surgery will be easier:
- The first thing to do is to apply cold to the area that has been operated on and not to drink hot drinks for a few days. This will help you in an anti-inflammatory way.
- At bedtime, sleep with your head higher than the rest of your body. Don’t forget to use antiseptic rinses to prevent a blood clot from forming in the area and thus prevent bleeding.
- Don’t eat foods or meals that are hard, replace them with soft options.
If you are considering getting a dental implant and you are worried that you do not have enough bone mass, dental bone grafting is the solution. At Gross Dentistas, our dental clinic in Malaga, we can help you with this case and advise you on the best solution to start with your dental implant.
Make an appointment with us as soon as possible!
Ortodoncista especializada en el sistema de ortodoncia invisible, extensa trayectoria profesional y un gran número de pacientes satisfechos con los resultados obtenidos tras la finalización de su tratamiento.
