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Sometimes, before you can receive dental implants, you may need bone grafting to help support the implant. Bone grafting for dental implants is a procedure that rebuilds the bone in the jaw when it isn’t thick or strong enough to support a titanium implant.
Before undergoing a procedure for dental implants at Oasis Dental Studio, we’ll assess a variety of factors – including jawbone density. Your consultation can take place in either our Gold Coast, Brisbane or Pottsville locations.
Why is bone grafting sometimes needed before being able to place dental implants?
Since a titanium dental implant is placed directly into the jawbone, having enough bone is important for long-term stability. If the bone has deteriorated or wasn’t sufficient to begin with, a graft can help create a stronger foundation before the implant is placed.
The bone grafting process will help to fuse the implant with the jaw, which supports the long-term stability of the implant. Not only can placing implants into insufficient jawbone lead to implant failure, it can also cause quite significant pain and discomfort.
The process is fairly common and can be needed for a variety of reasons. Some patients have naturally thinner bone, while others may have lost bone due to gum disease, tooth loss, or injury.
How our assessment process can determine if you’ll need bone grafting for dental implants
During your consultation to assess your suitability for dental implants, a thorough assessment of the jawbone will be performed to determine whether a graft is needed.
Your assessment for dental implants will also be about your overall oral health and physical health, so we’ll typically need to asses your gums and discuss general health factors first.
Then, to assess the jawbone, we will typically use a bone scanner – specifically, the Sirona Orthophos XG3D, which is a type of Cone Beam Volumetric Tomography machine (CBVT)). We can explain how this works before going ahead with the process.
If we do find that bone grafting will be necessary, we will then discuss how the procedure can be performed and the specific approach we will take. We’ll also discuss what to expect in terms of healing time and when the implant can be placed.
Any medical conditions, medications, or habits that could affect healing, such as smoking, will also need to be considered, as we’ll want to minimise potential risks as much as we can.
What bone grafting for dental implants involves
The procedure itself will depend on the type of bone graft needed, which we can discuss further during your consultation.
Our bone grafts can be performed by replacing the missing bone material with your own organic bone material. This may be the necessary option if there is a significant lack of jawbone density.
Another option is guided bone regeneration, which can be suitable if a smaller bone grafting procedure is needed. This process may also be able to be performed at the same time as placing the implant.
Guided bone regeneration is performed using Bio-Oss technology bone substitutes, as well as Mem-Lok as a regenerative tissue. This will help the bone substitute to fuse well with the existing bone, which is important for stability.
After a detailed oral assessment, we’ll be able to explain which option will be more suitable and discuss what the process will involve.
What to expect when healing and recovering from the bone grafting process
The recovery process after bone grafting for dental implants will vary, but it will usually involve some mild swelling and discomfort for the first few days. Pain relief can help manage any discomfort, and keeping the area clean is important for preventing infection.
If you do experience any concerning symptoms, such as symptoms of infection (for example, increased pain, warmth, inflammation or a fever), you’ll need to get in touch with our team as soon as you can so that we can help you address it.
Since the grafted bone needs time to integrate with the natural bone, the full healing process can take several months. During this time, it’s best to avoid anything that could disturb the graft, including smoking, excessive pressure on the area, or anything that could introduce bacteria.
Soft foods will be more comfortable to eat at first, and maintaining good oral hygiene without disrupting the graft site is important.
We’ll provide you with personalised aftercare recommendations during your consultation to help you care for your oral health, and general wellbeing, after the procedure.
How long until an implant can be placed after bone grafting?
The time between a bone graft and implant placement depends on how much bone was lost and the type of graft used.
For smaller grafts, some patients may only need a few months of healing before the implant can be placed. If more extensive grafting is needed, it can take closer to six months or longer before the area can be sufficiently healed.
Sometimes, a bone graft and dental implant can be placed at the same time, but this will depend on the strength and density of the existing bone. If the bone isn’t strong enough to immediately support an implant, it’ll generally be necessary to wait for the graft to heal.
During your consultation, we can give you a better idea of how long you can expect to wait, depending on your needs and how your particular bone grafting procedure was performed.
Bone Grafting for Dental Implants at Oasis Dental Studio in the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Pottsville
At Oasis Dental Studio, we only use high quality equipment to perform our procedures and use durable titanium implants for long-lasting results.
If you do need bone grafting before receiving dental implants, we will plan the procedure according to your needs and go over the steps with you in detail.
We can also discuss what you can expect when you’re healing from the procedure, the next steps in your treatment process and any other important information before proceeding.
To arrange your consultation and have a dental assessment, please get in touch with our team at your preferred location.
