Bone Graft

Bone Graft San Francisco

The human body is highly durable, with tissue, organs, and even most of our bones being able to heal over time. One type of bone that doesn’t heal itself is the teeth.

When a tooth is damaged or lost, the bone that once surrounded and supported it begins to deteriorate. This can lead to serious problems down the road, including further tooth loss, periodontal disease, and even facial deformities. Dental implants are a great solution to make sure this doesn’t happen.

One problem is that not everyone is a candidate for dental implants. Enough bone must be present in the jaw to support the implant. If there is not, a dental bone graft is the answer. At Post Street Dental, we have the best dentists in San Franciso who can help you with all dental care treatments. If you need a dental bone graft in San Francisco, we can help. Call us at (415) 986-4534 or complete our online booking form.

Why Teeth Are Important for the Jaw

Teeth play an essential role in the function of the jawbone. They act as anchors for the lips, cheeks, and tongue. They also help keep the jaw in place and support the facial muscles. When teeth are missing, the bone begins to deteriorate. This can lead to further tooth loss, gum disease, and even facial deformities. If you are missing teeth, dental implants are the best way to prevent these problems.

Results of Tooth and Bone Loss

Tooth and bone loss can have several negative outcomes, including:

• It affects the ability to chew
• An increase in the risk of tooth decay and gum disease
• A change in the shape of your face
• Difficulty speaking
• Jaw pain

Tooth extraction is the most common cause of tooth and bone loss. When a tooth is removed, the bone that once surrounded and supported it begins to deteriorate. Tooth loss can also occur due to an injury, gum disease, or tooth decay.

What Is a Dental Bone Graft?

A dental bone graft is a standard surgical procedure to build up the jawbone to support dental implants. If the jawbone has deteriorated to the point where it can no longer support an implant, a bone graft can be used to add new bone. This new bone will fuse with the existing jawbone over time, creating a strong foundation for an implant. It involves taking bone from another body area and grafting it onto the jaw. The bone grafting material used can be either synthetic, taken from another part of your body, or a combination of both.

Bone Graft Types

The main bone grafts used are autografts, allografts, xenografts, and alloplastic.

• Autografts are the most common type of bone graft. It involves taking bone tissue from another part of your body, usually the hip, and grafting it onto the jaw.
• Allografts use bone from another donor. Allografts are used most often in cases where there is not enough healthy bone present. However, there is a small risk of the body rejecting the graft.
• Xenografts use animal bone, usually from a cow. This is the least common type of bone graft, as there is a risk of rejection.
• Alloplastic uses synthetic materials such as calcium phosphate or hydroxyapatite. This is a good option for people who cannot have autografts or allografts due to specific health reasons like diabetes since there is less risk of rejection.

Dental Bone Graft Procedure

The first step will be to see if you are a good candidate for a bone graft. This will involve getting x-rays and CT scans of your jaw to see how much bone has deteriorated. If you are a good candidate, the next step is to schedule the procedure. An oral surgeon will do the dental bone graft procedure under local anesthesia.

First, an incision will be made in the gum tissue to expose the bone. A drill will then be used to create a hole in the bone. Next, a small piece of bone will be taken from another area of your body or a donor and placed onto the jawbone. The grafting material will then be covered with a collagen membrane or mesh, and the incision will be closed with stitches.

Post Care Instructions

After the procedure, it is important to follow your oral surgeon’s post-operative instructions. These will usually include eating soft foods, taking pain medication or antibiotics as needed, and avoiding smoking for a period of time. You will also need to avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks, as this can put undue stress on the surgical site and slow the healing process. The bone graft will take several months to fuse with the existing jawbone. Once the bone has fused, you can then move forward with getting dental implants.

Sinus Lift Surgery

In some cases, the sinuses may need to be lifted to make room for the bone graft. This is a standard procedure that is done at the same time as the bone graft. The sinuses are above the upper teeth, and if they have become too large, it can be difficult to place a bone graft in that area.

To lift the sinuses, an incision is made in the gum tissue, and the bone is drilled to create a small opening. A balloon is then inserted and inflated to lift the sinus membrane. This will create a space for the bone graft material to be placed. The balloon is then deflated and removed, and the incision is closed with stitches.

Frequently Asked Questions