Strong, healthy bone structure in your mouth promotes good oral health. It is critical for certain restorative dentistry treatments. When a tooth is lost, it is relatively common for it to take some of the surrounding bone tissue and structure with it. This might prohibit the restoration by a dental implant.
In a case like this, your Village Pointe Oral Surgery surgeon might recommend receiving a bone graft to restore the full integrity of your mouth. This is more likely to be the case if you had a tooth extracted or if you’ve struggled with chronic gum disease in the past.
The process starts with your oral surgeon, Dr. Michael Shnayder, examining your mouth and taking a series of X-rays. This provides a clear picture of the available amount of bone structure and the health of the surrounding teeth. At this appointment, you should also let your surgeon know about any medical conditions you have or medications you are taking.
A bone graft can be installed in a single outpatient appointment where you will need to be deeply sedated. This means you will need to have someone drive you home after your appointment.
The sampled bone material can be taken from your chin or a surgical-grade cadaver. Your surgeon will then install the bone graft by making an incision in your gums to access the underlying bone. The graft will be set into place and your gums will be sutured closed. In time, the bone graft will naturally integrate into your existing bone structure.
If you are missing a tooth and you’re concerned about your bone structure, you should call Village Pointe Oral Surgery at 402-317-5657 to see if you’re a candidate for a bone graft in Omaha, Nebraska.