Bone grafting is a common procedure performed on patients looking to have dental implants placed to restore teeth that have been missing for an extended period of time. When teeth have been absent from the socket for a long time, the jaw bone is not stimulated, and as a result, it begins to deteriorate. When patients wait too long to replace missing teeth, this deterioration can be extensive enough that the jaw bone cannot provide an adequate foundation for dental implants. Fortunately, bone grafting procedures combat this deterioration by placing artificial bone or bone from another part of your body, such as the hip or tibia, into the socket to restore your jaw bone and provide proper support for dental implants.
We offer a variety of bone grafting procedures at Utah Surgical Arts, from socket preservation and ridge expansion to sinus lifts, and we are confident that we can find a procedure to fit your needs and allow for successful tooth restoration. Your treatment plan will be individualized to fit your needs, but regardless of your treatment, you will receive compassionate and high-quality care. Patients who have previously undergone bone grafting procedures at our office have been so satisfied with their results that they wanted to share them with you. Please feel free to watch their reviews below to gain a better understanding of what to expect when you visit our office for any bone grafting procedure.
When a tooth is removed as the result of decay, infection, or trauma, or if a permanent tooth fails to develop in the appropriate position, the tooth-supporting bone of the jaw begins to atrophy or melt away. Similar to muscles that atrophy if they go unused for prolonged periods of time, the jaw bone can atrophy or resorb if a missing tooth is not replaced. It is not a painful process; in fact, you are usually unaware that the bone has been resorbing after the loss of a tooth. Then, if you should decide to replace the tooth down the road, your jaw bone may lack the quality and support required for the placement of dental implants and may even lead to the loosening of other teeth. Fortunately, our doctors have the ability to maintain and even regrow bone that has resorbed so that you may be a good candidate for dental implants. The procedure used for this is called a bone graft.
You may need to undergo one or more of the following bone grafting procedures:
Depending on your specific condition, your doctor may perform any of these procedures separately or together; they are most often performed separately from the dental implant procedure.
Patients most commonly ask, “Where does my bone graft come from?” In most cases, your doctor will use particulate freeze-dried bone from a tissue bank or a bone mineral substitute. In some cases, when a large quantity of bone is necessary, the material is taken from your own bone, either from inside the mouth, from the hip, or from the tibia at the knee.
Patients suffering from gum recession are encouraged to have a tissue graft, or gum graft, to protect teeth from damage. Gum recession is the tissue surrounding the teeth pulling away, exposing more of the tooth—even the root—potentially causing tooth loss and damage to the supporting bone. Patients are strongly encouraged to monitor oral health regularly, as gum recession is a slow, gradual process and easily goes unnoticed at first.
If you suffer from gum recession, your doctor may suggest one of three different types of tissue grafts, based on your individual situation and needs:
As with bone grafting, your own tissue can be used. However, graft material can be obtained from a tissue bank. One advantage of taking the tissue graft from a tissue bank is that if donor tissue is used, a second surgical site or donor site is not necessary, potentially making it more comfortable for the patient.
Drs. Harris, Park, Brown, and Wood of Utah Surgical Arts maintain three practice offices located in Provo, Payson, and South Jordan, Utah, serving all of Utah County and are available to schedule your bone or tissue grafting procedure at any of their locations.
