It can be disconcerting when you think you know how a dental procedure will go, but discover along the way that you need additional pre- or post-care therapy. Our goal at Harrell Dental Implant Center is to avoid the surprises and make your tooth replacement journey as simple as possible. Even so, every case is unique and there are numerous factors involved, which is why we thoroughly discuss your treatment and potential complications up front. One of the issues that could present itself is having too little jaw bone to securely anchor an implant. When this occurs, a bone graft is required before any type of implant can be placed.
Here’s more about bone graft and why some patients need them:
According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), your oral surgeon may talk to you about undergoing a bone graft for dental implants if he believes that your jaw bone is too thin or soft to keep the implant in place in its current state. If the bone cannot support the implant, it may cause the implant surgery to fail.
In a bone graft procedure, the surgeon will take a section of bone from another area of your body, or — as is most often the case now — use a special bone grafting material, and graft it onto your jaw bone. You will then have to wait, most likely several months, while the graft creates enough new, strong bone to make sure that the implant will be stable and secure. It is possible if you only need a minor graft that the procedure might be able to be done at the same time as the implant surgery, but your dental specialist will make the final decision. A successful bone graft allows your jaw bone to be strong enough to support your dental implant.
Once the bone graft is complete, the rest of the implant surgery can proceed. Read further, compliments of Colgate
HDIC Offers Decades Of Experience
It is always ideal for you to feel calm and relaxed about any procedure. Stress triggers a host of hormonal responses and can interfere with everything from sleep patterns to the pace of recovery. Dr. Robert L. Harrell and his team are here to ensure that our implant patients are comfortable during all aspects of therapy, including pre- and post-care. You can feel secure knowing that we use the latest technology to be certain that your implants are set to the precise depth and angle that’s ideal for you, whether you’re receiving a single dental implant, an implant bridge (to replace multiple teeth) or an All-on-4 (to replace a full arch of teeth). Our dental sedation options, caring staff members and decades of experience will come together to create the best experience possible.
Let’s get back to the matter of bone grafts. Here’s another article to help you understand the why’s and what-for’s:
Jaw bone graft
If your jawbone isn’t thick enough or is too soft, you may need bone grafting before you can have dental implant surgery. That’s because the powerful chewing action of your mouth exerts great pressure on your bone, and if it can’t support the implant, the surgery likely would fail. A bone graft can create a more solid base for the implant.
It may take several months for the transplanted bone to grow enough new bone to support a dental implant. In some cases, you may need only minor bone grafting, which can be done at the same time as the implant surgery. The condition of your jawbone determines how you proceed. Discover more about bone graft procedures, compliments of Mayo Clinic
It’s Time For You To Smile Again
If you are ready to have the smile you deserve, call Harrell Dental Implant Center today and schedule your free consultation appointment. This is your opportunity to learn more about the procedure options, get answers to your questions, and discuss your all-in costs. We will be happy to show you why dental implants are the ideal solution for replacing missing teeth.
Call 704-206-1330 or use the contact form on our website to make your appointment. During your consultation a complimentary digital smile preview (an $85 value) will be created to show how you will appear when your implants are in place.
