Everything You Need to Know About Dental Bone Grafting

One of the more common questions in modern dentistry is “what exactly is a bone graft?” If you’ve been told that you or a family member may have to undergo this procedure and are also wondering how it works, please keep reading to learn more about the treatment and what to expect after the procedure.

Answering a Common Question: What Exactly is a Bone Graft?

Simply stated, it’s a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed in dentistry to replace the bone loss that is caused by a missing tooth or retracted alveolar bones that help support the roots of a tooth or the gums that hold a tooth. When this happens, it can create pain for a patient, an inability to pronounce certain words clearly, an inability to chew certain foods, and even affect the shape of a patient’s face. The procedure is most commonly performed to put strength back into the jaw bone so that a prosthetic tooth, such as a dental implant, can be placed into position to provide a long-term solution for tooth loss.

How a Bone Graft Works in a Dental Implant Procedure

The procedure is done by using a piece of bone – either from your own jawbone or an artificial option — as the base for the reconstruction. Depending on the type of dental implant being used and the condition of a patient’s jawbone, the recovery period can take up to several months for the transplanted bone, or bone material, to heal enough to support the planned implant fully. But once the jawbone is healed, screw-like posts are inserted to act as the roots of the implanted tooth so patients can enjoy a fully functioning tooth support for years to come. That’s one of the major advantages of a dental implant – once the procedure is completed, the replacement tooth will last a lifetime with proper care.

Bone Grafting is a Safe and Very Common Dental Procedure

Although bone grafting is a very popular and safe procedure, with over two million surgeries being reported each year, there is a certain amount of aftercare that is required to prevent complications, and post-procedure discomforts include swelling of the gums and minor bleeding. Your dental professional will provide you with full post-procedure instructions, which will include instruction about ice therapy and managing any discomfort with anti-inflammatory medication.