By now, we all know that dental implants are one of the remarkable ways to replace damaged, decayed, or even missing teeth. They offer a multitude of oral health benefits, have the potential to last a lifetime, and look and act extremely natural. In fact, it is near to impossible to distinguish them from your natural teeth as far as function and appearance are concerned.
However, for successful dental implant surgery in Long Island, some patients may need a bone graft before undergoing a dental implant procedure. If you are getting dental implants, it is imperative to know that it is fairly common to be told during a dental consultation that you may need bone grafting before implant surgery. Of course, it is also normal for a patient to be afraid of the procedure; but bone grafting only sounds scary.
Bone grafting is a simple, predictable, and painless procedure that you shouldn’t be afraid of. It is a surgical procedure that is performed to rebuild or repair bone by transplanting bone tissue. This surgery helps to recreate bone and support missing tissues.
Why bone grafting is performed?
There are many reasons to perform bone grafting, including disease and injury. A patient with an insufficient amount of healthy natural bones in his or her mouth often requires bone grafting. Due to a lack of natural bone in the mouth, the oral cavity cannot provide enough support to the dental implants. There are numerous reasons for the deficiency of natural bones in your mouth, including but not limited to –
- Empty Space After Teeth Removal
- Periodontal Disease
- Face Injury or Trauma
- Development Defects
When are bone grafts recommended?
Anyone who is missing a tooth or has lost one or more teeth may need a bone graft before dental implants. Even if you decided to get dental implants immediately after losing a tooth, bone grafts are necessary. This is usually because of a number of reasons such as the socket could be infected or the bone could still be weak after tooth loss. While, of course, it’s not often realistic to get implants immediately after losing a tooth due to logistical or financial reasons, you will begin to gradually lose bone after a tooth loss.
What to expect after the bone grafting surgery?
Immediately after the procedure, your dentist will prescribe you antibiotics to keep infection at bay. In certain cases, pain medication is also prescribed. The vast majority of patients who get bone graft experience no pain at all, and do well without pain medication.
During your recovery, the bone graft fuses with the natural bones in your oral cavity. Since every patient is different, the recovery period will vary. The recovery also depends on the size of your bone graft. Typically, recovery can take anywhere from a few months to a year. Regular checkups are imperative until you are ready for dental implants.
Does everyone need bone grafting? And are they painful?
No! Not everyone needs bone grafting. However, the only way to find out whether you need a bone graft or not is by consulting a dentist. During the consultation, the dentist will perform a comprehensive dental examination to know if you need one.
Even though bone grafting is a surgical procedure, it is not at all painful. It is an outpatient surgery, and patients are usually given anesthetics before the procedure. Also, you will not experience any pain while the graft heals. A bone grafting is a mere first step toward getting a new replacement tooth.
North Island Dental Arts is a well-renowned dental practice specializing in dental implants and bone grafting procedures. We have a team of experienced and well-qualified professionals who provide quality dental care services. Our team is dedicated to keeping patients informed of all available treatment options so you can make an informed decision and feel good about your results in an affordable manner.
If you have decided to get dental implants in Long Island, schedule an appointment with us today.