About Bone Grafting
At Virginia Oral Surgery Specialists, we are proud to offer our patients the latest and most effective treatments for various oral health conditions. One of the services we provide is bone grafting, which can be used to treat several issues, including tooth loss, jawbone deterioration, and more.
If you are considering bone grafting, our experienced surgeons will be able to evaluate your individual needs and create a custom treatment plan that is right for your dental health. Please contact us today, and we will be happy to answer any of your questions and help you make an appointment.
About Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a surgical treatment that involves taking bone from one area of the body and transplanting it to another area. Grafting is often used to repair bone defects, such as those caused by trauma, tumors, or congenital abnormalities. It can also be used to fuse two bones when needed.
Types of Bone Grafting Procedures
There are multiple different types of bone grafting procedures that we can use, depending on the patient’s needs. These bone graft procedures include:
Socket Preservation
This is when the socket of a tooth is filled with bone graft material after the tooth has been extracted. This procedure aims to prevent bone loss in the jaw and preserve the dental alveolus or socket. Socket preservation can be performed at tooth extraction or a later date. Socket preservation is performed at the time of tooth extraction.
Ridge Augmentation
This is used to correct the contours of the jaw bone. It is often performed with dental implant surgery and involves using a bone graft to add volume to the jawbone. The grafting material helps to support the implant and also provides a more natural appearance to the gum tissue.
Sinus Lift Surgery
Sinus lift surgery is a dental procedure that involves raising the level of the sinus floor and adding bone to the area. This is done to provide a better foundation for dental implants. The sinuses are located above the teeth, and for dental implants to be placed successfully, there needs to be enough bone in that area.
Periodontal Bone Graft
This is a dental procedure that is used to correct bones that have been damaged due to periodontitis. This disease attacks the gums and bones around the teeth, causing them to break down. Periodontal grafting helps to replace the lost bone and promote new bone growth.
What are the reasons for a bone graft?
Bone grafting is often used to repair or replace bones that have been damaged by injury, disease, or congenital defects. There are several scenarios where a bone graft might be necessary, such as:
To Support Dental Implants or Dentures
One common reason for bone grafting is to provide enough support for your implants or dentures. When you are missing teeth, the bone tissue that once surrounded them begins to atrophy or shrink. This can leave the jawbone too thin to support a dental implant, typically placed in the jawbone. A bone graft can help build up the jawbone, making it strong enough to support dental implants or dentures to replace missing teeth.
Bone Loss Due to Periodontal Disease
Bone loss can occur for various reasons, but one of the most common causes is periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can eventually lead to bone loss and tooth loss if left untreated. Bone grafting can help to replace bone that has been lost due to periodontal disease. This can help to restore bone density and prevent further bone loss. Bone grafting is often used with other treatments, such as dental implants, to provide the best possible results.
Repair Damage Due to Trauma or Injury
One of the reasons you may need a bone graft is to repair damage due to trauma or injury. The bone graft will replace any bone that is missing or has been damaged beyond repair. It can also help fuse two bones or replace bone lost due to osteonecrosis. Osteonecrosis is when there is a loss of blood supply to the bone, which can cause the bone to die.
