Bone health matters: FAQs about the importance of grafting for dental implants
The health of your mouth isn’t just about the condition of the tooth structure and gums. These hard and soft tissues rely on the condition of the supportive bone in the jaw. If a tooth must be removed due to irreparable damage caused by decay, gum disease, or trauma, the jawbone is at risk of being degraded or resorbed. This process can have a tremendous negative impact on all aspects of life, from how you chew and pronounce words to how you look. Bone resorption also presents challenges to implant placement and healing, which can be overcome with grafting at Silsby Family Dental in Albion, New York.
How does bone loss happen?
After teeth are extracted or removed, the surrounding bony tissue changes permanently. During the healing process, the bone at the extraction sites decreases in height. This results in a shallow, saddle-shaped jaw. Such changes are especially pronounced in the upper jaws, close to the sinuses. These cavities are naturally more depressed than the same spaces in the lower jaws. And, just as the height of the bone may be lost, so too may the width of the bone deteriorate.
How fast does this occur?
It is not uncommon for half of the dimension of the bone in the backmost (premolars and molars) to be lost in the first year after these teeth are removed. The process is generally characterized as “alveolar ridge resorption,” which refers to the portion of the jawbone that stabilizes the teeth.
Why does the jawbone health matter so much to implants?
For an implant to “take,” it must have adequate alveolar bone. Once precisely inserted in the jawbone, the implant and surrounding bony tissue will join together, a process known as osseointegration. After the implant and bone are united, the implant can function like natural tooth roots. These cylindrical-shaped titanium posts keep the prosthetic tooth (or teeth, as needed) in place, offering a stable foundation – just the way a natural tooth is “rooted” in the jaw.
Am I a good candidate for bone grafting?
Dr. Evan Silsby will assess the health and density of your jawbone and then recommend grafting as needed. This process takes autologous tissues (from your own body) and transfers them to the extraction/implant site(s). The idea is to build up or augment the bone in the areas that could use such a boost most. In this way, your jawbone can optimally support the implant that then optimally supports the prosthetic tooth or teeth. Additionally, other types of bone grafts may come from synthetic, human, or animal sources. We can discuss specific options for treatment during your consultation at our office in Albion, New York.
We emphasize that grafting is common and a largely straightforward and well-tolerated preparatory procedure for implants and to build up the supportive tissues so needed for facial structure and good dental health and function. Call Silsby Family Dental at (585) 589-4325 to book your appointment today.
