5 Reasons to Recommend a Post-Extraction Bone Graft

1. Decay or Damage to the Tooth and Jawbone

Once a tooth is gone, there’s nothing for the jawbone to anchor onto. Eventually, the bone will start to recede, which weakens the jawbone. The problem is even more serious for patients with multiple missing teeth.

A weak jawbone is thin, making it more susceptible to fractures. Placing implants in the low-density bone is also difficult because there’s insufficient bone structure to support the implant screw.

A bone graft restores healthy bone tissue, so your dentist has a strong foundation for whatever type of restorative procedure you choose to invest in later.

2. Gum Disease

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. While it can be arrested, some cases are so advanced that the bacterial infection in the gums destroys the bone around the teeth.

A bone graft can add tissue to help prevent further damage, improve oral health, and support dental implants.

3. Trauma or Injury to the Jaw

When one of our patients experiences jaw trauma, it can result in the loss of bone structure. Trauma can include being in a car accident, getting hit in the face (with a fist, door, bar, or ball while playing sports), falling on your face, etc.

When the bone loss is extensive enough, our Renovo dental team recommends a bone graft to help repair the damage and rebuild healthy bone structureThe result is restored function of the jawbone and improved appearance.

4. Lack of Denture Support

Patients who wear dentures are often at risk of losing bone density over time. To build up the bone tissue again, we recommend bone grafting alone or a combination of bone grafting, implant placement, and implant-supported dentures. Your Renovo endodontic specialist will outline the pros and cons of each option.

5. Genetic Factors

Some patients have genetic conditions that impact the growth and development of their jawbone, leaving them with low-density bone. Adding bone via a bone graft can prove to be a strong foundation for any future dental work the patient may need.

What Happens During a Bone Grafting Procedure?

Another way we can help ease your mind is by breaking down the bone grafting procedure. Knowing what you can expect takes some of the “mysterious unknown” aspects out of the process, allowing you to feel more confident about the procedure.

• Preparation: First, your surgeon will numb your gums, teeth, and jawbone to ensure you’re comfortable during your procedure.
• Removing the tooth: If you need a tooth extracted, the surgeon will remove it now. They can use forceps to rock the tooth out of the bone gently. In more complex cases, they may need to make an incision into the gum tissue to surgically remove the tooth.
• Preparing for and placing the bone graft: If an incision hasn’t been made already, the surgeon will make one now to gently push aside the gum tissue to expose the jawbone. Next, they’ll clean and disinfect the bone and place the bone grafting material.
• Closing the incision: Finally, your surgeon will place sutures in the gum tissue to close the gums so they can heal.

Types of Bone Grafting Procedures

Depending on your needs, one of our Renovo endodontic specialists will recommend one of four types of bone grafting. These include:

• Ridge augmentation: Ridge augmentation helps increase jawbone volume in patients who’ve been missing teeth for a while. A wider, denser ridge provides a better foundation for restoration.
• Periodontal bone graft: If a patient has tooth mobility due to bone loss from periodontal disease, we recommend a bone graft to stabilize the tooth and prevent tooth loss.
• Socket preservation: After an extraction, bone can be placed in the tooth’s socket to prevent the sides from caving, which can prevent the mobility or loss of surrounding teeth.
• Sinus lift: When patients lose their upper back teeth, their sinuses can drop down a bit, impeding implant placement. When this happens, we recommend a sinus lift to restore the sinuses to their original position and place a bone graft below to support the sinuses and any dental restorations.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Getting a Bone Graft?

The downsides of getting a bone graft are typically temporary, while the benefits can last a lifetime.

The Benefits of Getting a Bone Graft

Bone grafting is the only way to correct or reverse dental bone loss. Other upsides to getting a bone graft include:

• Preventing further structural and functional damage
• Improving appearance
• Improving oral health
• Helping ensure the success of future dental work

The Cons of Getting a Bone Graft

The downsides include:

• The discomfort of surgery and possibility of some pain with recovery
• Healing time, which can take up to nine months to be fully complete, though you’ll feel back to normal within about two weeks
• The cost of the procedure, depending on insurance coverage

Bone Grafting: A Necessary Step Toward Improved Oral Health

For some patients, getting a bone graft is one of the best ways to achieve and maintain good oral health. It allows for proper form and function, making speaking and eating much easier and more comfortable. Bone grafting can also help reduce the risk of dental diseases and future tooth loss. If you’d like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact Renovo Endodontic Studio today!

Do you have questions about your treatment plan? We’d love to help! Contact Renovo Endodontic Studio to schedule a consultation or second opinion with one of our dental health specialists.