If you’re missing one or more teeth and you’re in good general health then you may be considering dental implants as a form of tooth replacement. In our opinion, you can’t beat the cosmetic appearance of successful dental implants. Not only do they look incredibly lifelike and are virtually undetectable but they function in the same way as a natural tooth too. As with any type of oral surgery, and dental implants are no exception, we ensure that our patients fully understand all aspects of surgery so there are no nasty surprises. One of the main factors to be aware of is the possibility of needing bone grafting for dental implants.

Dental implants are placed directly into the jaw bone at the site of the missing tooth but in cases where the bone isn’t sufficiently thick, deep, or wide, your dentist may recommend a bone graft in order to avoid dental implant problems such as rejection. This is typically determined at your initial consultation and may involve a 3D CT scan in order for your dentist to create your treatment plan.

About bone grafting for dental implants

Bone grafts have been used successfully in oral surgery since the 1970’s for building a stable base for denture patients. They’re now commonly recommended for patients wanting dental implants but lacking sufficient bone in which to place them. Grafting can also restore the contours of the face.

When teeth have been lost due to disease, trauma, or injury, it’s natural for bone loss to occur and this, in turn, causes the jaw to shrink and change shape. This being the case, bone grafting can help create a more stable base for dental implants, improving their chances of success.

Bone grafting for dental implants – what does it entail?

It’s only natural for you to feel concerned and a little scared about the dental bone graft procedure. After all, it does sound quite invasive but, honestly, once you’re informed any concerns will vanish and you’ll feel more confident.

Before implant teeth surgery can proceed the jaw needs to be prepared. This involves removing any damaged tooth that’s remaining and depending on its condition, it’s at this point that the bone grafting for dental implants will take place. It used to be that a piece of bone was taken from another part of the patient’s jaw or body, or that of a cadaver, before being grafted onto the jawbone; but most times synthetic bone grafting material is used. Dental implant bone graft recovery can take several months while you wait for the transplanted bone to grow more bone so that it’s able to support your dental implants.

Once the bone has healed and you’ve been given the all clear you can go forward with the dental implants process by having the titanium posts placed into the jawbone. This too may take several months of healing time. Once fully healed, moulds are taken of your jawbone and teeth so that the final procedure of attaching your dental crown can take place.

The full dental implants procedure can take anywhere from 3 to 9 months to complete and possibly longer if you need a bone graft, but all of our patients agree that their new smile was worth waiting for!

If you’re interested to learn more about bone grafts for dental implants and whether you may need one, why not book a no-obligation consultation with the experienced dental implants team at Evergreen Dental? Give us a call today on (02) 8074 3849 today. and take the first step towards your new smile.

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