Bone grafting for dental implants in Richmond: all you need to know
If you are missing one or more teeth, you are probably all too aware of their importance to your dental health and physical appearance. Teeth can be lost for a number of reasons, the most common of which are: facial trauma, decay and gum disease.
If you have been missing teeth for a prolonged period of time, you may find it more challenging to replace them with dental implants. This is because the jawbone weakens as soon as a tooth is lost. Long-term denture wearers in particular do not have enough bone left for the procedure to be successful.
In these cases, Dr Harmit Kalsi, our lead implant dentist at Sheen Dental Implants in Richmond, might suggest bone grafting if he believes that your jawbone is too soft or weak to keep the dental implants securely in place.
How does it work?
At Sheen Dental Implants, a bone graft procedure involves either taking a section of bone from another part of your body or using a synthetic bone grafting material with natural bone properties. The grafting procedure includes a small operation and you will have to wait for a few months while the graft creates sufficient new bone for your implant to be sturdy and secure.
Bone graft risks
Bone grafting is a minor surgical procedure that may involve certain risks. For instance, infection is a risk of any procedure that cuts into the skin but it can be easily treated with antibiotics. At the same time, there is always the chance that your body will reject the bone, though this is not common since synthetic bone grafts are made of high-quality, bone-friendly materials. However, if this happens you can always attempt to have another graft at a later date.
Bone grafting results
Once the bone graft has integrated into your bone successfully, the implant surgery can proceed. As with any dental treatment in our Richmond practice, we encourage our patients to come forward with any questions or concerns prior to the operation. Once Dr Kalsi determines that you are a good candidate for dental implants in Richmond, you can look forward to a bright new smile.