Dental implants are the gold standard for teeth replacement, providing a long-term, reliable solution. However, if the bone in your jaw is degenerative or genetically thin, the dental implant may fail. An oral surgery specialist can perform bone grafting in the area so that the dental implant has a strong support.
Bone needs stimulation to grow, and if a tooth is missing, the body begins to reabsorb bone in the empty space. This process can result in facial hollowness, changes to your gum line, and even misalignment of other teeth.
One of the main benefits of dental implants is that it stimulates bone growth in the area of the missing tooth. In this process, called osseointegration, the post of the dental implant fuses with the jawbone, causing new bone growth around the post and better oral health.
If you don’t have enough bone in the area of a missing tooth, an oral surgery specialist can perform a bone graft using your own tissue or a biocompatible synthetic material. The bone graft will stimulate new bone cell growth and allow you to benefit from a dental implant.
Bone grafting is a routine procedure that requires local anesthesia and sometimes sedation, if needed. An oral surgery specialist can tell you if you’re a good candidate.