BONE GRAFTING
Plymouth, MN
Experience compassionate and expert bone grafting care, tailored to enhance your oral health and support successful dental implants, ensuring a strong foundation for your perfect smile.
Table of Contents
The Importance of Bone Grafting
If you have had a tooth extracted, restoring proper bone levels in your jaw is crucial. The jawbone is the foundation of your smile, playing a vital role in oral health and function. It supports teeth and preserves the facial structure. However, this bone needs the stimulation of tooth roots. When teeth are extracted or lost, the jawbone begins to resorb and shrink.
The consequences of bone loss can lead to shifting and loosening of remaining teeth, loss of lip and cheek support, and other problems. These functional and aesthetic consequences can prevent you from replacing missing teeth with dentures or dental implants. To avoid these issues, our team at Smile Design Dentistry offers bone grafting in Plymouth, MN. This procedure restores jawbone density, thereby improving oral health and function.
Procedures and Techniques
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure designed to restore areas where the bone has resorbed or a tooth has been extracted. At Smile Design Dentistry in Plymouth, MN, we offer bone grafting to restore the jawbone’s density, height, and width. Bone grafting may involve the following procedures:
Socket Preservation
Socket preservation involves packing bone graft material into the tooth socket after tooth extraction. This treatment delays the resorption process and preserves the health of the bone until a dental implant can be placed.
Ridge Augmentation
Ridge augmentation restores the natural density and contours of a jaw ridge. By restoring healthy bone levels, this procedure can improve the fit of dentures to the gum line.
Sinus Lifts
A sinus lift can be beneficial in cases where bone in the premolar or molar areas of the jaw has lost density or volume. Bone grafting material can be placed by lifting the sinus cavity to restore proper bone height.
Types of Bone Grafts
At Smile Design, we offer a variety of techniques tailored to your needs. Below are the types of bone grafts we use:
Autogenous Bone Graft
Also known as an autograft, it involves using bone tissue taken from the hip or jaw area. This type of graft has a high success rate because it uses your tissue, which is less likely to be rejected and promotes faster healing and integration.
Allograft
Allografts use bone tissue from a donor, which is processed and sterilized. This type of graft eliminates the need for a second surgical site, making the procedure less invasive. Allografts restore bone density, providing a solid foundation for dental implants and other restorations.
Xenograft
Xenografts are derived from animal sources, usually bovine (cow) bone. The bone is processed and sterilized to ensure it is safe to use. Xenografts provide a reliable structure for new bone growth and are used when large amounts of bone are needed to restore the jaw.
Alloplastic Grafts
Alloplastic grafts are made from synthetics designed to mimic natural bone. These biocompatible materials promote new bone growth, making them a reliable option for clients who may not be candidates for autografts or allografts. Alloplastic grafts can be used in dental and orthopedic procedures to restore bone density.
Restore your oral health with our professional Tooth Extractions! Whether you need to remove a problematic tooth or prepare for a dental implant, our expert team will provide personalized and gentle care. Schedule a consultation today to discover how tooth extractions can enhance your comfort and overall dental well-being!
Pre- and Post-Operative Care
At Smile Design, we provide comprehensive instructions and support to ensure a smooth recovery and optimal results.
Pre-operative Care
Before the bone grafting procedure, our team will guide you through the necessary steps to prepare:
- Consultation and Evaluation: During the initial consultation, we will evaluate your oral health, take necessary imaging, and discuss your medical history to ensure you are a suitable candidate for bone grafting.
- Medications: If you take medications, please inform us. Sometimes, you may need to adjust or discontinue certain medications before surgery. We will provide instructions based on your needs.
- Fasting: Depending on the anesthesia used, you may need to fast for several hours before the procedure. Our team will inform you of the fasting requirements during your pre-operative appointment.
- Oral Hygiene: Maintaining optimal oral hygiene is essential. Brush and floss your teeth before the procedure to reduce the risk of infection.
- Transportation: Arrange for someone to drive you to and from the appointment, especially if you will be under sedation or general anesthesia.
Post-operative Care
After the bone grafting procedure, following these post-operative care instructions will promote healing and prevent complications:
- Medication: Take prescribed drugs, such as antibiotics or pain relievers, as directed. These will manage pain and prevent infection.
- Rest: Avoid strenuous activities for at least 24-48 hours after the procedure. Elevate your head with pillows while resting to reduce swelling.
- Ice Packs: Apply ice packs to the affected area for 20-minute intervals during the first 24 hours to minimize swelling and discomfort.
- Oral Hygiene: Maintain oral hygiene practices. Your dentist may recommend techniques to avoid disturbing the surgical site as you recover.
- Diet: For the first few days, maintain a soft diet, avoiding hard, crunchy, or spicy foods that could irritate the surgical site. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Follow-up Appointments: Attend all scheduled follow-ups so we can monitor your healing progress and address concerns promptly.
- Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: Refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol, as these can increase the risk of complications.
Compassionate Support for Your Recovery
At Smile Design Dentistry, we provide empathetic and professional care throughout a bone grafting journey. Our team will support you from pre-operative preparation to post-operative recovery.
The Benefits of a Restored Smile
Bone grafting may be a functional treatment to improve oral health, but its benefits extend beyond that. Tooth and bone loss can lead to numerous issues that affect your ability to eat and your overall well-being. By restoring bone in the jaw, our team can treat infection and disease, replace missing teeth with restorations like dental bridges and dentures, and prepare you for dental implants.
At Smile Design Dentistry, we are your partners in achieving a healthier, more confident smile. We provide compassionate and professional care, ensuring your journey to a better smile is as comfortable and rewarding as possible.
Before & After Photos
Suffering from jawbone loss?
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