Grafting Jawbone
Always schedule an appointment with Dr. Allan Acton at Cary Familly Dental of Cary, NC if you have questions about dental implants for you or your family. If your jawbone is not thick enough or too soft, you may need a bone graft before undergoing dental implant surgery. This is because vigorous chewing of your mouth puts a lot of pressure on your bone, so if it can’t support the implant, the operation is unlikely to succeed. A bone graft can create a stronger implant base. There are several materials that can be used to restore the jaw.
Options may include a natural bone graft, for example from elsewhere in your body, or a synthetic bone graft as a bone replacement material that can provide support structures for new bone growth. Talk to your doctor about the options that will work best for you. It can take several months for the transplanted bone to grow enough new bone to support the dental implant. In some cases, you may only need a small bone graft, which can be done at the same time as the implant surgery. The condition of your jaw determines how you will proceed.
The Implant Placement
During dental implant surgery, your oral surgeon makes an incision to open the gums and reveal the bone. Holes are drilled in the bone, on which the metal pillar of the implant will be placed. Because the base will serve as the root of the tooth, it is implanted deep in the bone. At this point, you will still have a gap where you are missing a tooth.
A type of partial, temporary denture can be placed for appearance if needed. You can remove this denture for cleaning while you sleep.
Bone Growth Over Time
Once the metal implant is placed in your jaw, osseointegration begins. During this process, the jawbone grows and merges with the surface of the dental implant. This process, which can take several months, helps provide a solid foundation for your new artificial tooth – just as the roots do for your natural teeth.
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