When Is Bone Grafting a Necessary Procedure?

Losing a tooth as an adult can cause a host of problems. Not only does your oral health have an effect on your mental well-being, but missing a tooth can create serious problems for your other teeth and your ability to keep them strong and healthy. 

This is why we recommend implants or other options to patients who would otherwise go without one or more of their natural teeth. Implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement, but what if your bone density isn’t strong enough to support implants? 

That’s where bone grafting comes in. Here at Ueno Center Dental Specialists, we believe bone grafting is necessary if it supports a person’s oral health and especially if it means the difference between getting or forgoing a beneficial dental support procedure. 

Our founder, Jeremy K. Ueno, DMD, as well as our other team members will be happy to help you determine if bone grafting should be a part of your overall oral treatment plan.   

Who needs bone grafting?

Bone grafting is a procedure that helps fortify bones that have lost density and strength. In dentistry, a missing tooth can cause the bone in your jaw to erode. An infected tooth that stays in the jaw can also erode the bone. 

When your oral health is compromised, the affected tooth won’t grow back on its own. In many cases, we remove the tooth and place a dental device — like an implant — in the empty spot. It allows you to feel and look more like yourself and also to eat and speak comfortably. 

Unfortunately, a dental device like an implant requires a certain level of bone density and strength in the jaw for support. If tooth decay or a missing tooth has allowed this part of your body to lose density, you may need bone grafting.  

Other people who may require this procedure include those who have suffered from periodontal disease that has eroded the bone density in their jaw and those who need dentures but don’t have a strong enough jaw to support them. 

As a general rule, anyone who has had issues with oral health that has led to bone density loss could be a candidate. 

What bone grafting does and how it supports oral health

Bone grafting uses bone that:

• Comes from your body
• Comes from someone else
• Comes from an animal
• Is created synthetically

Your situation and needs may affect what type of bone we use for your procedure. We take all of this into account during the treatment process.

During the procedure, we make a small incision in your gums in order to access the jawbone. Then we add the material to the natural bone along with growth factors that come from your body. 

This helps the material fuse with your bone and provide it with the support it needs. And don’t worry; you will receive anesthesia during this process.

The benefits and side effects of this procedure 

Bone grafting is a highly specialized treatment. There are many different materials we can use, and we can determine exactly how much of the material you need to get results. Most people who need bone grafting are good candidates for it. 

Like with all medical procedures, bone grafting can be associated with certain side effects, such as infection, pain, and stiffness. But all of these are easy to manage, especially when we take your specific needs into account.

Should I get bone grafting? 

Basically, if you have lost bone density in your jaw and this is affecting your oral health or keeping you from getting an important procedure, bone grafting is probably necessary for you. Still, you should discuss the treatment with us to ensure it’s the best option for your needs.

To make an appointment, call us today at our Campbell, California, office. You can also book an appointment online at your convenience.