Do They Bone Graft for Teeth?
In order to have a healthy and strong mouth, your jaw bones need to have a certain amount of bone tissue for each tooth. When your bone tissue has receded or isn’t as strong as it used to be, the dentist may suggest bone grafting to rebuild the foundation to support healthy teeth. As people age or after a traumatic accident, losing jaw bone (and teeth) will affect the overall appearance of your smile, but it will also affect the remaining teeth and their stability. If you do not replace the missing tooth, the necessary pressure on that area of the jawbone will no longer stimulate the body to keep the bone tissue there. The body will start to reabsorb that bone tissue in order to use it in other ways. If you are hoping to have a dental implant placed to replace one or more missing teeth, your mouth needs to maintain all of its function and its integrity. Bone grafts are commonly used in order to restore any lost volume, density, and/or structure.
Bone grafting to help teeth is frequently done, and it is a procedure that has been used for decades with significant improvements in techniques and tools over the years. It is recommended in cases when bone deterioration puts your remaining natural teeth at risk or in order to support a dental implant when there is not enough natural bone to keep the implant in place securely. Bone loss can happen over time as you get older, or it can result from injury, infection, gum disease, or tooth loss.
In the case where bone loss has occurred as a result of a missing tooth, the dentist may suggest a bone graft as a part of your treatment plan. The jawbone within the area of the missing tooth begins to shrink without the stimulation and pressure from the tooth root. The body starts to absorb the minerals and bone tissue to use in other places in the body. If you are interested in replacing that missing tooth with a dental implant, rebuilding the bone in that area first may be required to hold the implant securely. Bone grafting offers support to existing bone tissue since it stimulates natural bone to regenerate and can fill in the spaces that have diminished over time.
In the case where a tooth has been extracted, bone grafting is used for socket preservation. The tooth extraction and bone grafting may happen during the same appointment. The bone grafting material gets placed into the same area where the tooth was extracted, so the socket will not narrow or collapse. This use of bone grafting is proactive to make sure the area is in good condition for dental work later, like bridges, implants, or partial dentures.
In the case of advanced periodontal disease, bone grafting is used around existing teeth to protect those teeth. Gum tissue and the bone underneath are worn away by persistent, untreated infection. These supporting tissues become compromised, so teeth can start to wiggle. A bone graft can improve the stability of your natural teeth as it helps to regenerate lost bone, especially in combination with deep cleaning or periodontal therapies.
If you have more questions about dental bone grafting or how addressing it could work as a part of your treatment plan to achieve better dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if bone grafting is the best option for you.