Strong and healthy bone structure is important in many different dental applications. A loss in bone structure from past tooth decay issues, gum disease or tooth extractions can cause your dentures to fit loosely or make it difficult to mount a dental implant.
In a situation like this Village Pointe Oral Surgery might recommend that you have a bone graft procedure to restore the available bone structure to better address future dental work.
The initial consultation includes a thorough examination of the area which might also include a series of X-rays or a CT scan. This will clearly determine how much bone structure is available and to make sure the surrounding teeth are healthy.
A bone graft procedure can often be performed outpatient basis and usually requires that you be deeply sedated. You will need to have a friend or family member to drive you and help at home while you get back on your feet.
You can often choose where you want the bone material sampled from. It could be taken from your chin or a surgical grade cadaver. The surgeon will then create an incision in your gums to expose the jawbone. The new bone is set into place and the gums are sutured closed. In time your body will naturally integrate the graft into your existing bone structure.
How long it takes for your gums to heal and your body to integrate the bone graft might vary depending on your age, overall health and quality aftercare. If you use tobacco it will irritate the gum tissues, which increases recovery time and risk of infection.
If you are concerned about the amount of bone structure you have available before a procedure to restore lost teeth, please call Village Pointe Oral Surgery at 402-317-5657 to schedule an appointment.