Bone Grafting Procedures in St. George, UT
If you need a restorative dentistry procedure or cosmetic dentistry procedure but do not have a sufficiently healthy area of bone, you may need a dental bone graft. Dental bone grafting can create a more stable foundation for dental implants and other procedures that can improve the function and health of your teeth and mouth.
At Plumb Dental, we will ensure you fully understand what to expect from a bone graft procedure, the purpose and benefits of bone grafting, the results and recovery process, and how it will improve the results of your dental restoration or cosmetic dentistry procedure. Call to schedule a consultation for bone grafting in St. George, UT.
What Is a Bone Graft?
A dental bone graft is an oral surgery procedure that uses synthetic or donor bone to increase the volume, density, and stability of your jaw. If you have a thinning jawbone or jawbone loss, you may need a bone graft to create a stable surface for further dental work, such as a dental restoration or cosmetic dentistry procedure.
When Do You Need a Bone Graft in Dental Procedures?
Bone grafting is essential for some dental procedures. It acts as a stable structure for further dental work, and it encourages your body to produce more bone tissue naturally. You may need a bone graft to:
- Fill in your tooth socket after you have undergone a tooth extraction
- Create a stable foundation for dental implants or a dental bridge
- Rebuild your jaw before you get dentures
- Correct deformities caused by oral health conditions, trauma, infection, or congenital issues
- Stabilize loose teeth
- Repair jawbone loss after gum disease treatment
Benefits of Dental Bone Grafting
Bone grafting may be necessary to provide you with the restorative or cosmetic dental procedure you need. It may also be necessary to treat complications associated with gum disease or other health conditions. The biggest benefits of dental bone grafting are:
- Improved stability and health of the jaw
- Better structure and support for restorative dentistry procedures like dental implants and dentures
- Improved oral health and reduced risk of tooth loss and gum recession
- Reduced risk of facial deformity
- Improved comfort and function when speaking and chewing
- Support for cosmetic dentistry procedures like dental crowns and bridges
Types of Bone Grafting Procedures
There are a few different types of bone grafts for teeth and jaw health. We will explain which type is right for you:
- Allograft – An allograft uses human bone procured from a licensed donor bank.
- Alloplast – An alloplast graft uses man-made dental bone, typically created from hydroxyapatite.
- Autogenous – An autogenous graft uses your own bone, which is harvested from another part of your body, like your hip, and then grafted into your jaw.
- Xenograft – A xenograft uses animal-derived bone procured from a licensed donor bank.
The Bone Grafting Process
We will ensure you fully understand the dental bone grafting process before we begin. We will answer all of your questions and explain the risks and benefits of the procedure. During dental bone grafting, we will:
- Use a local anesthetic, dental sedation, and/or general anesthesia to ensure you feel no pain or discomfort during the procedure.
- Make a small incision in your gums and move them away from your jawbone.
- Add bone grafting material to targeted areas of bone loss.
- Cover the bone graft with a collagen membrane.
- Reposition your gums and close the incision.
Life After a Jaw or Tooth Bone Graft
Dental bone grafting is considered a minor oral surgery procedure. Most people do not experience any pain or discomfort. You will be given prescription pain medication and antibiotics after your procedure, which you should take as directed. In general, dental bone grafts have a high success rate; however, like any other oral surgery procedure, there is a risk of side effects like pain, swelling, drainage, and gum recession. Most people can return to their normal routine in a few days, but the graft takes about three months to heal. We will let you know how long you will have to wait for your bone graft to heal before we can schedule your next procedure. We will also give you specific aftercare instructions. A dental bone graft should last a lifetime.
Why Choose Plumb Dental
At Plumb Dental, we stay on top of the latest advancements and research in dentistry so that we can be sure we are always offering our patients the safest, most effective, and most innovative techniques and technologies. We take the time to build strong relationships with our patients and help them overcome challenges to getting the oral health care they need. We offer sedation dentistry to ease dental fears and anxieties. We also offer preventive care and patient education and resources so that our patients can take a more active role in protecting their oral health. We specialize in general and family dentistry services, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, periodontal therapy, endodontic services, and orthodontic services.
Schedule a Consultation With Our Dentists
Call us now or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation with our team of dentists and dental specialists. We can evaluate your oral health, assess the restorative dental work you need done, and determine if you need dental bone grafting in St. George, UT. Our team of friendly, compassionate, and knowledgeable experts will make sure you understand every step of the procedure and how it will improve your overall oral health and the function and beauty of your smile.