Restore Your Candidacy for Dental Implants
with Bone Grafting
After tooth loss, the jawbone can begin to recede as it no longer receives vital nutrients from the dental roots. Since dental implants require sufficient jawbone tissue for success, many patients need a dental bone graft before undergoing implant placement surgery. At our dental practice in Rockville, MD, Dr. Victor R. Siegel can perform several types of bone grafting procedures to restore the density of your jawbone. Combining advanced technology and his extensive training, Dr. Siegel can create a strong and stable base for your dental implants and re-establish your candidacy for this life-changing procedure.
Understanding Bone Grafts
There are a variety of conditions that can cause jawbone recession. Tooth loss, periodontal disease, and aging can all reduce the density of bone in the jaw, making placement of dental implants more difficult. When atrophy occurs, a bone graft can encourage regrowth of tissue and restore the density and stability of the jaw. Depending on your needs, Dr. Siegel can use your bone, donor bone, or a biocompatible material during treatment.
Do I Need a Bone Graft?
The best way to determine if you need a bone graft is to schedule an appointment at our office. During your consultation at our Rockville dental office, we can take digital x-rays and scans using our cone beam computed tomography (CT) scanner. Dr. Siegel can use this information to assess the density of your jawbone and identify areas of bone loss.
If you have been told you do not qualify for dental implants due to a lack of bone tissue, a dental bone graft can restore your candidacy.
Types of Bone Grafts
There are several types of bone grafts that can restore your candidacy for dental implants, many of which Dr. Siegel can perform in our office. The optimal graft type for you will depend on the type of bone loss you experienced and the planned location for your implants. While a bone grafting procedure will increase the cost of your implant-supported restoration and extend your timeline, this treatment can reduce the likelihood of implant failure and improve the health of your jaw.
Socket Grafts
A socket graft is performed after a tooth is extracted to prevent bone loss. Dr. Siegel can perform this type of graft when immediate placement of an implant is not possible. During this procedure, Dr. Siegel can pack the space left by the tooth with grafting material. Over the next three to six months, your body will absorb the material and replace it with new, healthy bone. Once this process is complete, Dr. Siegel can place your implants.
Block Bone Grafts
If you have lost significant portions of tissue, you may need a block bone, or autogenous ramus/chin graft. During this treatment, Dr. Siegel can remove a small block of bone from the chin or the wisdom tooth area and graft it in the deficient section of your jaw. Patients typically require four to six months of recovery after a block bone graft before dental implant placement.
Sinus Lifts
Placing dental implants in the upper jaw is often more difficult than other areas due to the proximity to the sinus cavity. In addition, the back of the upper jaw naturally has less bone than the lower jaw. During a sinus lift, Dr. Siegel can gently raise the floor of the sinus cavity and pack the area with grafting material to provide a strong base for implants. In some cases, he can use the crestal approach, which is less invasive and requires a shorter recovery time. However, in most cases, it takes six to nine months for patients to recover after a sinus lift.
Build a Strong Foundation
The success of your implant-supported restoration is tied to the strength and density of your jawbone. If you have been told you do not qualify for dental implants due to a lack of bone tissue, a dental bone graft can restore your candidacy. Learn more about bone grafts and our other dental implant services by contacting us online or calling (301) 963-4330 today.