Bone Grafting
Bone Grafting for Implants
Let’s say that you’ve decided to move forward with dental implants. But during your consultation, you discover your jawbone has been depleted from either disease or from years of tooth loss. You may be feeling dejected, but keep in mind that this will not prevent you from getting dental implants: instead, you may need additional treatments to help add volume to your jawbone so that your implant can succeed. Let’s take a look at why.
“Why Do I Need One?”
You may be asking yourself this very question. When it comes to dental implants, a lot of their success rides on the process of osseointegration: a process in which the titanium of the implant triggers the surrounding bone to regenerate and wrap around the implant. Without this crucial step, an implant wouldn’t be fully embedded and may even fail or fall out.
In response to those who may have depleted jawbone, Drs. Tharp & Klaus offer bone grafting procedures to help rejuvenate your structure and volume, to create a more stable foundation for your implant treatment. Depending on the size of the depleted area or the types of implants you’re getting, these treatments might be able to be performed at the same time as the initial implant surgery. This will be determined by Dr. Tharp or Klaus.
Types of Bone Graft
There is no one way to do a bone graft for dental implants. There are a few types of graft procedures we offer here, and we can help decide which one is best for you.
Sinus Lift
This type of surgery adds bone to your upper jaw area, placed between your jaw and maxillary sinuses on either side of the nose. This type of augmentation is best for patients who are getting implants in their upper jaw, especially near the back of the mouth, where this graft is placed.
Split Ridge
A split ridge is a type of bone graft that widens the jaw slightly, in order to fit an implant that may otherwise not fit. This involves splitting the jaw along the top ridge and placing bone granules or other graft materials between the split in order to encourage regrowth.
Block Grafts
There are instances when a standard bone graft may not be enough to cover the whole depleted area. In these cases, a block bone graft may be used; it differs wherein the volume of bone needed for the procedure is harvested from the patient in the form of a block (hence the name). This block of bone sample is typically taken from places where the patient has ample bone such as the chin.
Membrane Grafts
After an implant is placed, membrane grafts are used to protect the bone cavity against gum growth. This way the bone can grow confidently without having the gums taking over. There are dissolvable membranes that disappear as your bone graft takes effect, as well as non-dissolvable membranes.
Improve the Success of Your Implants
Your dental implants will have a higher chance of success if they have the proper foundation and support structure you need. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple grafting procedure, and we can help find out which one is best for you. Contact us in Jackson, MS and learn more about how we can provide you with quality dental implants.