Bone Grafting
Dental bone grafting is the process of adding bone to an area where the bone has deteriorated or been lost. Its main goal is to strengthen the jawbone, typically in order to ensure the success of dental implant procedures.
At Smile Center Silicon Valley, we use grafts harvested from the patient’s own tissue or from another source or synthetically produced grafts, depending on the specific circumstances of the procedure.
Types of Bone Grafts
Autografts
Bone is harvested from the patient's body, typically from another area of the jaw, hip, or tibia. Autografts provide the best results as the patient's bone has the highest potential for integration and regeneration.
Allografts
Bone is obtained from a human donor (cadaver) and processed to remove cells and minimize disease transmission risk. Allografts serve as a scaffold for new bone growth.
Xenografts
Bone is derived from an animal source, usually bovine (cow) or porcine (pig). Xenografts also act as a scaffold for new bone growth.
The Procedure for Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is typically performed under local anesthesia, although sedation or general anesthesia may be used for more complex cases. The dentist gently opens the gum tissue near the site needing the graft to expose the underlying bone and tissue. Then, they take a tiny piece of bone from another part of the jaw or body or another source to use as a graft. Finally, the dentist stitches the gum tissue back in place. Sometimes, the dentist may place a special material over the graft to promote growth.
The patient should eat only soft foods while the graft site heals. They may also need to take antibiotics to prevent infection.
The Benefits of Bone Grafting
Dental Implant Success
Bone grafting provides a solid foundation for dental implants. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed in the jawbone. Adequate bone volume and density are necessary to support the implants and ensure long-term stability. Bone grafting helps regenerate or restore bone in areas with insufficient bone, increasing the success rate of dental implant procedures.
Enhanced Esthetics
Bone grafting helps improve the esthetics of the smile by providing sufficient bone support for natural-looking dental restorations. When teeth are lost, the surrounding bone can gradually deteriorate, leading to a sunken appearance or changes in facial structure. Bone grafting helps restore bone volume, maintaining the natural contours of the face and supporting the shape of the lips and cheeks.
Prevention of Further Bone Loss
Bone grafting helps prevent further bone loss in the jaw. When teeth are lost or extracted, the underlying bone can resorb over time due to a lack of stimulation. Bone grafting stimulates new bone growth and prevents jawbone deterioration, maintaining strength and density.
If you have experienced tooth loss, our dentist may recommend a bone graft to give you back a full smile. Visit Smile Center Silicon Valley at 877 W. FREMONT AVE, SUITE L3, Sunnyvale, CA 94087, or call (408) 245-7500 for more information.