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Lowell Street Dental Implant and Surgical Center

360-692-0300

Bone Grafting in Silverdale, WA

STRENGTHEN YOUR JAWBONE ONCE AGAIN

Over time, a jawbone with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed back into the body in a process called resorption. This often results in poor quality and quantity of bone for the placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients can’t qualify for dental implants.

Fortunately, at Lowell Street Dental Implant and Surgical Center, Dr. Wilde offers bone grafts to patients who want to qualify for dental implants. Read on to learn more about bone graft and its benefits.

WHAT IS A BONE GRAFT?

With the advancement of modern technology, we have the ability to grow bone where needed. If you require a tooth extraction, a bone graft can help preserve the shape of your jaw and overlying gum, allowing a dental implant to be placed with minimal trauma to neighboring healthy teeth.

Alternatively, if you’ve been missing a tooth for some time, or if you have had severe gum disease, bone in the affected area might have been (and likely will be) further damaged. A bone graft can easily replace missing bone and even stimulate new bone growth, so your mouth will be able to support a dental implant. Not only does it give us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, but it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.

REASONS WHY BONE GRAFTING IS NECESSARY

Here are some common reasons why patients receive bone grafting:

Tooth Extractions

Natural teeth are embedded in the jawbone and stimulate it through activities such as chewing and biting. When teeth are missing, the lack of stimulation causes the bone to break down and resorb. The bone loss rate varies greatly among individuals. However, most loss occurs within the first 18 months following extractions and continues throughout life.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, gradually destroys gum tissue, the support structure of your natural teeth. Plaque-induced inflammatory lesions make up the majority of periodontal issues and are divided into two categories:

  • Gingivitis: This is the less serious stage of the disease. It may never progress into periodontitis, but it always precedes it.
  • Periodontitis: This is the most serious stage of the disease. If gingivitis does progress into periodontitis, the supporting gum tissue and bone that holds teeth in place deteriorates. The progressive loss of this bone, the alveolar, can lead to loosening and subsequent loss of teeth.

Dentures/Bridgework

Unanchored dentures are placed on top of the gum line, and therefore don’t provide any direct stimulation to the underlying alveolar bone. Over time, the lack of stimulation causes the bone to resorb and deteriorate. Because this type of denture relies on the bone to hold them in place, people often experience loosening of their dentures and problems eating and speaking.

Eventually, bone loss may become so severe that dentures can’t be held in place even with strong adhesives, and a new set may be required. Proper denture care, repair, and refitting are essential to maintaining oral health. Some dentures are supported by implants, which do help adequately stimulate and therefore preserve the bone.

With bridgework, the teeth on either side of the appliance provide sufficient stimulation to the bone, but the portion of the bridge that spans the gap where the teeth are missing receives no direct stimulation. Bone loss can occur in this area.

Trauma

Trauma most likely happens when a tooth is knocked out or broken to the extent that no biting surface is left below the gum line, and bone stimulation stops, which results in jawbone loss. Some common forms of tooth and jaw trauma include:

  • Teeth knocked out from injury or accident
  • Jaw fractures
  • Teeth with a history of trauma may die and lead to bone loss years after the initial trauma

Misalignment

Misalignment issues can create a situation in the mouth where some teeth no longer have an opposing tooth structure. The unopposed tooth can over-erupt, causing deterioration of the underlying bone. Such issues can be caused by:

  • TMJ problems
  • Normal wear-and-tear
  • Periodontal disease
  • Poor oral hygiene habits
  • Teeth shiftings due to gaps from missing teeth

As a result of these issues, bone deterioration can occur.

Sinus Deficiencies

When molars are removed from the upper jaw, air pressure from the air cavity in the maxilla (maxillary sinus), causes resorption of the bone that formerly helped the teeth stay in place. As a result, the sinuses become enlarged, a condition called hyperpneumatized sinus.

This condition usually develops over several years and may result in insufficient bone for the placement of dental implants. Dr. Wilde can perform a procedure called a sinus lift that can treat enlarged sinuses.

RIDGE EXPANSION

In severe cases where the ridge has been reabsorbed, a bone graft is placed to increase ridge height and/or width. This technique is used to restore the lost bone dimension when the jaw ridge gets too thin to place conventional implants. In this procedure, the bone ridge of the jaw is literally expanded by mechanical means. Bone graft material can be placed and matured for a few months before placing the implant.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it painful to receive a bone graft?

With our usage of local anesthetic or your choice of sedation dentistry, your procedure will be painless. During your procedure, Dr. Wilde and our Silverdale team will make sure you’re comfortable and don’t feel any pain.

After the procedure, you may experience some pain and discomfort for a few days. This can be relieved with some over-the-counter medications.

How long does it take to recover from a bone graft procedure?

The recovery period differs depending on your unique oral health and the condition of the jawbone before the procedure. It may take two weeks to three months to heal.

You can’t undergo a dental implant procedure until your mouth is completely healed from the graft. Until then, Dr. Wilde will give you an estimate of your recovery period and when you’ll be able to receive the implants.

CALL TODAY & RESTORE YOUR JAWBONE’S HEALTH

If you’re looking to receive dental implants or want to restore your jawbone, a bone graft may be the solution for you. To learn more about bone grafting or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Wilde, contact our Silverdale office at (360) 692-0300 to get started. You can also fill out our online contact form and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.

Dr. Greggory Wilde, Periodontist at Lowell Street Dental Implant and Surgical Center in Silverdale, WA

Serving the Olympic Peninsula, Kitsap County & Jefferson County communities including Silverdale, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Port Angeles, Poulsbo, Sequim & Port Orchard WA Serving Silverdale, Bremerton, Port Orchard, WA

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