Building a Foundation for Dental Implants Serving Henderson & Las Vegas, NV
Bone Grafting Services at Comprehensive Dental Implant Center
One of the essential services we offer to support dental implants is bone grafting. At Comprehensive Dental Implant Center in Henderson, Dr. Hendrickson and our dedicated team are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality dental care. This procedure plays a crucial role in ensuring the success and stability of dental implants, particularly for patients who have experienced bone loss. Here, we’ll explain the bone grafting process and discuss when bone grafting is recommended.
Understanding Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that involves adding bone or bone-like materials to the jaw to increase its volume and density. This is often necessary when the jawbone has deteriorated or is not thick enough to support dental implants. The goal of bone grafting is to create a strong and stable foundation for dental implants, ensuring their long-term success. The process includes the following steps:
1. Initial Consultation and Evaluation
The bone grafting process begins with an initial consultation with Dr. Hendrickson. During this visit, he will evaluate your oral health, review your medical history, and take detailed X-rays or 3D scans of your jaw. This assessment helps determine the extent of bone loss and the most appropriate type of bone graft for your needs.
2. Treatment Planning
Based on the evaluation, Dr. Hendrickson will develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific situation. This plan will outline the type of bone graft material to be used, the location of the graft, and the overall timeline of the procedure. There are several types of bone graft materials available, including:
- Autografts: Bone taken from another part of your body, such as the hip or another area of the jaw.
- Allografts: Bone obtained from a human donor.
- Xenografts: Bone derived from an animal source, usually bovine.
- Alloplasts: Synthetic bone-like materials.
3. Bone Grafting Procedure
The bone grafting procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia or sedation to ensure your comfort. The steps involved in the procedure include:
- Incision: Dr. Hendrickson will make a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the area where the bone graft will be placed.
- Preparation: The site is carefully prepared, and any damaged or infected bone tissue is removed.
- Placement: The bone graft material is then placed into the prepared area. It may be shaped and secured using small screws or a membrane to hold it in place.
- Closure: The gum tissue is sutured closed over the graft, and a protective dressing may be applied to aid in healing.
4. Healing and Integration
After the bone grafting procedure, a healing period of several months is necessary to allow the graft to integrate with the existing bone. This process, known as osseointegration, is crucial for creating a stable foundation for dental implants. During this time, the bone graft material stimulates new bone growth, increasing the density and volume of the jawbone.
5. Follow-Up and Monitoring
Dr. Hendrickson will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your healing progress and ensure the graft is integrating successfully. These visits are important to address any concerns and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
When is Bone Grafting Recommended?
Bone grafting is recommended in several situations to ensure the success of dental implants:
- Insufficient Bone Density: For dental implants to be successful, there must be enough healthy bone to support the implant. If you have experienced significant bone loss due to periodontal disease, trauma, or long-term tooth loss, bone grafting can help restore the necessary bone density.
- Sinus Lifts: In cases where implants are needed in the upper jaw, particularly the molar and premolar areas, the sinus cavity may need to be lifted to make room for the implants. A sinus lift is a type of bone grafting procedure that adds bone below the sinus cavity, increasing the height of the bone in the upper jaw.
- Ridge Augmentation: If the jawbone is not wide enough to support dental implants, ridge augmentation may be necessary. This procedure involves adding bone graft material to the ridge of the jaw, increasing its width and providing a stable foundation for implants.
- Socket Preservation: After a tooth extraction, the socket where the tooth was removed can lose bone and tissue over time. Socket preservation is a bone grafting technique used immediately after tooth extraction to fill the socket with bone graft material, preventing bone loss and preparing the site for future implants.
Contact Us to Learn More About Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a vital procedure for patients seeking dental implants, especially those with insufficient bone density. At Comprehensive Dental Implant Center in Henderson, Dr. Hendrickson utilizes advanced techniques and materials to ensure successful bone grafting and implant placement. If you are considering dental implants and have been told you need a bone graft, rest assured that you are in expert hands.
Contact Comprehensive Dental Implant Center today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hendrickson. Let us help you restore your smile and improve your oral health with our comprehensive bone grafting and dental implant services.
Bone Grafting Works Like This…
Tooth with bone loss. No room for a dental implant.
Bone graft placed (darker area).
Successful graft. Bone has integrated and accepted the dental implant.