Also called regenerative surgery, a bone graft is used to recreate bone and soft supporting tissues lost due to periodontitis. If you have periodontitis, you may be losing bone support around your teeth. To avoid extractions, Dr. Herbst, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Union City, may recommend regrowing the lost bone with a graft.
The goal of bone grafting is to encourage the body to rebuild the bone and other structures attaching the tooth to the jaw. First, we separate the gums from your teeth to gain access to the roots and bone. The roots are thoroughly cleaned, and the holes in the bone are filled with a graft material usually consisting of your own bone.
After this process is completed, Dr. Herbst of Legacy Oral Surgery will put the gums back in place and stitch them together. Over the next few months, the grafted material is encouraged to grow and fill in for lost bone and soft tissue.
Ridge Augmentation
A common use of bone grafting is for ridge augmentation. Ridge augmentation can recapture the natural contour of your gums and jaw after the loss of a tooth as a result of trauma, congenital anomalies, infection, or periodontal disease. To achieve an ideal amount of gum and bone as support for surrounding restorations or implants may require both hard- and soft-tissue reconstruction.
After the loss of one or more teeth, your gums and jawbone may become indented where the tooth or teeth once were. This occurs because the jawbone recedes when it no longer has to hold a tooth in place.
Not only is this indentation unnatural looking, it also causes the replacement tooth to look too long compared to the adjacent teeth. This can also create an area difficult to keep clean.
Ridge augmentation uses bone and tissue-grafting procedures to fill in the indented area of the jaw and gums, leaving you with a smooth gum line coexisting with your restoration or dental implant. Fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment today.
Osseous Grafting
Osseous grafting, also known as bone grafting, is a surgical procedure designed to promote bone growth and repair. This procedure can treat several conditions and involves transplanting your own bone tissue or inserting synthetic graft material where new bone growth is needed. This technique is often used to help heal fractures not healing on their own, provide support for dental implants, or rebuild bone lost to periodontal disease. If you require a bone graft in your jaw, do not hesitate to contact an experienced oral surgeon.
The knowledgeable and skilled oral and maxillofacial team at Legacy Oral Surgery has over 35 years of combined professional experience helping our patients achieve their perfect smile. We see over 7,000 patients per year and prioritize your health, safety, and comfort from the moment you walk into our office until you are fully recovered. We employ several innovative and minimally invasive techniques to get you back to feeling your best as quickly as possible.
Am I a Candidate for Osseous Grafting in Union City, NJ
A dental bone graft can treat various dental and oral health concerns requiring additional bone mass in the jaw or alveolar ridge. Your dentist may recommend visiting an oral surgeon to discuss an osseous graft for the following reasons:
To qualify for osseous grafting in Union City, NJ, you must be in good health without any heart conditions making surgery a risk to your health. Your oral surgeon will review your dental and medical history during an extensive oral exam to determine if you are a candidate for the procedure.
- Periodontal disease: When gum disease advances and becomes especially severe, the infection can eat away at your jawbone. An osseous graft can stabilize your jaw and teeth, preventing future tooth loss.
- Tooth extraction: After a tooth extraction, the surrounding bone holding it in place may degenerate. A bone graft can preserve the socket for a future implant.
- Dental implants: Dental implants must be inserted into dense and healthy bone to replace a tooth’s root successfully. If the surrounding bone is insufficient, it can be built up through surgery. Additionally, bone grafts can be performed to help your dentures fit securely.
How Is Osseous Grafting Performed
Before beginning the procedure, you will be numbed or sedated for your comfort. Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may receive either an anesthetic or a local numbing agent. After you are comfortable, your surgeon will make a small incision in your gums to access the affected bone. Then, the graft material is applied to the deficient area of your jawbone. While graft material can be transplanted from a healthy bone in your body, synthetic grafting material is often used for dental bone grafting. After the graft is in place, your surgeon will reposition the gums and close the incision with stitches. Typically, this procedure is performed in less than an hour.
Following your procedure, your surgeon will provide you with detailed postoperative instructions for a smooth recovery. You can expect to feel some pain and discomfort after your surgery, which can typically be managed by taking over-the-counter pain medication. In many cases, patients are pain-free within a matter of days. Your surgeon will schedule a follow-up appointment two weeks after your procedure to monitor your progress and address any concerns.
Types of Osseous Grafts We Perform at Legacy Oral Surgery
At Legacy Oral Surgery, our surgeons are well-versed in a wide range of state-of-the-art osseous graft procedures. Depending on your unique concerns, your surgeon may recommend one of the following options:
Your surgeon will evaluate your needs as well as your cosmetic and oral health goals before recommending a procedure to fit your needs. We support you as you prepare for and recover from your surgery for a quick and successful recovery.
- Socket preservation following a tooth extraction
- Ridge augmentation to support dental implants and dentures
- Sinus lift to make room for implants in the back of your mouth
- Periodontal bone graft to repair bone degeneration from gum disease
Schedule an Appointment With an Experienced Oral Surgeon in Union City
While the prospect of getting an oral osseous graft can feel overwhelming, partnering with a trustworthy oral surgeon can give you peace of mind knowing your health is in caring and experienced hands. At Legacy Oral Surgery, our talented team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons is dedicated to prioritizing our patient’s needs and comfort through every stage of their treatment journey.
We are committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve in a secure and comfortable environment. To learn more about how we can help you, schedule an appointment today by calling (201) 601-9262 or completing our online contact form.
