Bone Grafts and Dental Implants: Who Needs It and Why
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If you visited a dental office to replace a missing tooth but the doctor said you need prior bone grafting for a dental implant, don’t panic. Equip yourself with valuable knowledge about implants and bone grafting. When you have jawbone loss, positioning an ordinary dental implant can harm you in the long run.
Bone grafting increases your chances of getting the hoped-for artificial tooth and highly benefits oral health and quality of life. Do you always need a bone graft for dental implants? Discover its alternatives, risks, and advantages.
What Is a Bone Graft?
While a dental implant can surgically replace a lost tooth, the implant screw needs a certain amount of bone density in the jaw for efficient support. An oral surgeon performs bone grafting to enhance the volume and density of bone that needs extra support.
Two main materials are used for bone grafting:
- Bone filler: The material serves to replace the missing bone in the part of a jaw. It can be either the patient’s bone (autograft), an animal bone (xenograft), or a synthetic material with a lab-made origin (alloplast).
- Barrier membrane: This coating protects bone graft materials by fusing with the existing bone and stimulating its growth.
A patient needs nearly a week for initial healing, but the entire process can take up to a year. Afterward, the bone graft fully heals. Can you get a tooth implant without a bone graft? Let’s explore the key reasons for this dental procedure.
When Is Bone Grafting Needed for Dental Implant?
Dental implant surgery is successful when a metal titanium screw securely fuses with your jawbone and replaces a natural tooth root. When your jawbone doesn’t have enough density, the dental implant lacks a stable foundation for a long-term stay. Let’s explore the main reasons for bone loss.
Age
Natural bone density can diminish with age. If you’ve been missing a tooth for a while, bone degradation might progress.
Overall health
The jawbone can weaken if you suffer from gum disease. It provokes significant bone loss in the jaw area, so it’s more challenging for a doctor to position a dental implant.
Duration of tooth loss
The longevity of tooth loss directly impacts the bone condition in the adjacent area. Since it doesn’t get sufficient stimulation by a tooth root, the bone can shrink over time. If a patient had a tooth lost several years ago, they might face bone resorption.
Jawbone quality and density
The low bone density in the jaw can be inborn or come with age. Thin or weakened bone is insufficient to securely hold a dental implant. Bone graft significantly boosts the chances for long-term success.
3 Alternatives to Bone Grafting
Can you get an implant without a bone graft? An oral surgeon may recommend several alternatives to bone grafting if you have certain health conditions:
- diabetes;
- osteoporosis;
- hypertension;
- excessively consume alcohol;
- had radiation therapy.
Your body might not heal properly and accept a bone graft, but it doesn’t mean you are sentenced to dentures. Consider several alternatives to bone grafting.
- Mini dental implants
Is a bone graft necessary for an implant? — Not always. Mini dental implants have a diameter of less than 0.118 inches, making them perfect for patients with bone loss, a small jaw, or a narrow space to fill. Positioning mini dental implants is less invasive than regular implants and can be performed under local anesthesia.
- All-on-4 dental implants
The all-on-4 method implies incorporating 4 to 6 dental implants into the jawbone to support a full arch of replacement teeth. This technique maximizes the existing bone, so you can skip bone grafting.
- Zygomatic dental implants
Zygomatic implants are placed into the cheekbone, so you can get implants even with severe jawbone loss. These implants are positioned the day the prosthesis is attached.
Risks and Benefits of Bone Grafting
Like any surgical procedure, bone grafting possesses certain risks, but its numerous benefits outweigh them. Let’s compare the pros and cons of bone grafting to understand your potential for future implant success.
| Benefits | Risks |
| A bone graft fills out a tooth socket after tooth extraction.It increases the amount of available jawbone.Can lift the sinus cavities below the eyes and alongside the nose.Provides a sturdy foundation for dental implants.Rebuilds the jaw before getting dentures.Repairs the damaged bone from dental trauma.Supports loose teeth.Treats bone loss caused by gum disease.Increases your eligibility for dental implants and other restorative treatments. | Anesthesia complications; Severe bleeding; Infection; Nerve damage. |
Dental Implants and Bone Graft: Promising Statistics for Successful Outcome
Bone grafting is considered a well-accepted procedure: the success rates are up to 100%, depending on the material. Oral surgeons perform it in one of every four implants, which equals nearly 2.2 million bone-grafting procedures worldwide. If you are looking for an efficient solution to replace missing teeth, our qualified doctors can offer bone grafting or actionable alternatives to restore your smile’s functionality and aesthetics.
Bone Grafting for Dental Implant: Most Common Questions
Do you wonder “Is a bone graft required for an implant” in your specific case? Read these three common questions with expert replies.
How painful is bone grafting for dental implants?
Bone grafting might cause a bit more irritation when compared to dental implant surgery. Most patients with bone grafts report the procedure appeared less painful than they had expected.
How long do bone grafts last for dental implants?
A dental bone graft can serve you faithfully your entire life, but don’t wait too long after ultimate recovery to get a dental implant. You should make it within 6 to 12 months, or the bone graft can start to reduce and lose density.
How successful is bone grafting for dental implants?
When an oral surgeon performs bone grafting in the jaw, this procedure has a 99% success rate. The success rate slightly lowers when the surgery is done in the sinus area.
Additional Resources
Still hesitate, “Do you need a bone graft for an implant?” This study by the National Library of Medicine can eliminate your residual concerns, pinpointing the types of bone grafting and tissue sources.
