Bone GraftingAddress bone loss and prepare your jaw for dental implants.

Bone loss can occur for many reasons, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent condition.

Get Your Dental Bone Graft in Southfield, MI

Losing a tooth can have many effects on your life—from gum sensitivities to dietary changes to perpetual discomfort. But many people don’t realize that it can also affect the volume and health of your jawbone. If you’ve had a tooth removed for any reason, it can lead to bone loss in your jaw, which can impact your daily comfort levels and your ability to replace the lost tooth.

At Michigan Gum Docs, we offer dental bone grafts as a solution for jawbone deterioration, especially in preparation for a dental implant. Reach out to our team today to discuss your oral health concerns and create a comprehensive treatment plan.

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When Do I Need Bone Grafting Treatments?

A dental bone graft is a treatment used to remediate the loss of bone in the jaw for one reason or another. Activities like chewing and biting are necessary to stimulate the growth and preservation of cells in the jawbone. After the loss of a tooth, the jawbone in the vacant spot is no longer properly stimulated, and deterioration is likely to set in.

If you are seeking a dental implant to replace a missing tooth, a jawbone graft will strengthen and prepare the area so that an implant can be placed. This procedure may also be necessary if the bone loss has begun to negatively affect your other teeth. Your dentist is able to determine if bone grafting is necessary by conducting an oral examination or ordering dental X-rays.

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What Causes Bone Loss in the Jaw?

Stimulation is so vital to the health of the jawbone that many issues can contribute to jawbone deterioration, even issues that may not seem directly related to tooth loss or are only symptoms of it. These can include:

Placement of dentures and bridgework
Trauma (breakage or teeth being knocked out)
Diseases such as periodontitis or osteomyelitis
Sinus problems that affect tooth placement
Surgical or congenital facial bone loss

What Does the Dental Bone Grafting Process Look Like?

After your dentist determines that a bone graft is necessary, they will explain, in detail, what the next steps of your personalized treatment will look like.

The procedure starts with the application of a local anesthetic to numb the area. Then, an incision is made in your gum tissue so that your dentist can access the jawbone. The area will be cleaned and disinfected to create a “clean slate” for the bone graft to be applied. This promotes a greater chance of success with the procedure.

After the graft is applied, your dentist may cover it with a membrane for protective stabilization. In the days following your appointment, you may experience some temporary pain, swelling, and bruising as your body adjusts. Your dentist will provide you with care details, precautions, and instructions to ensure the success of this treatment.

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Your questions answered.

Dental Bone Grafting FAQs

Can I get a dental implant right after a bone graft?

No, usually, a bone graft will take at least 3 months to properly heal. Consider it like this: when you lay the foundation for a building, you can’t start building right away—you have to wait for the foundation to set. Bone grafting is like laying the foundation for your implant, and you want that graft to have healed and strengthened before you put anything on top of it.

Your dentist will work personally with you to assess your progress and ensure your health for a fast recovery and a fuller smile as soon as possible.

Will a denture prevent bone loss in my jaw?

Unfortunately, no. An unanchored denture only sits on the surface of your gums, meaning it doesn’t touch or stimulate the jaw bone. An unstimulated jaw bone can cause the bone to resorb into itself, leading to health issues, including dentures becoming loose.

Speak to our dental team today to discuss how to watch out for these issues and the steps that can be taken to maintain well-fitting dentures and overall oral health.

Are there different types of dental bone grafts?

Yes! The four main types of oral bone grafts are as follows:

Ridge augmentation
Socket preservation
Periodontal bone graft
Sinus lift

Speak to our dental team to determine what options are most suitable for your dental health needs.

Make Your Appointment to Start Smiling Stronger

Reach out to our team today to mitigate jaw atrophy, treat dental discomfort, and start planning your dental implant journey. We’re ready to help!