Replacing Bone For Dental Implants
One of the leading causes of tooth loss among adults is periodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection that wears away at the bone and gums responsible for supporting your teeth. When dental plaque is allowed to thrive in the mouth, gums can become tender and inflamed. Over time the toxins and bacteria in this plaque infect the gums and begin to destroy the tissues and bone that keep your teeth in place. While most people know that gum disease can cause a range of issues like bad breath and gum recession to occur, did you know that one of the most serious indications of advanced gum disease is the deterioration of one’s jawbone, which is responsible for holding your teeth in place?
Gum disease often develops as a result of lifestyle habits, such as smoking or a diet high in sugars and carbohydrates, in addition to improper or insufficient oral health care at home. Another common reason gum disease may progress is because patients do not schedule regular dental examinations every six months. Scheduling these exams seriously reduces your risk of developing jawbone loss because your periodontist can perform a deep cleaning and measure the depth of your pockets. If periodontal disease is present, your periodontist will discuss available treatment options, which may include a scale and root planing procedure, gum graft, tooth extraction, or a bone graft to reverse the damage that has been caused. Taking these interventions will also help ensure additional issues do not develop in the future.
If you have already reached an advanced state of gum disease and experienced bone loss and/or the loss of teeth, your periodontist may recommend a bone graft to help replace the bone that has been destroyed. To learn more about replacing bone for dental implants, please refer to the following.
The Bone Graft Procedure
In order to determine if you have experienced jawbone deterioration and how severe this deterioration is, your periodontist will take diagnostic exams which will provide them with a clearer picture of the underlying structure of your jawbone. If these diagnostic exams reveal that jawbone loss has occurred, a follow up appointment will be scheduled for a bone graft.
While the bone graft procedure is invasive, it is important to be aware that a local anesthetic will be administered which will ensure that you do not experience any pain or discomfort while the procedure is being performed. Dental sedation is also available for patients who have dental phobia or may have difficulty sitting still for an extended period of time.
Once the local anesthetic and sedation have been administered and are working, your procedure will begin with your periodontist making an incision in your gums, after which they will clean any infected tissue or calculus that may be present. Once the area has been properly cleaned, the bone graft material is placed. Please note: patients who will be providing the grafting material from their own jaw or hip bone will need to schedule a preliminary procedure to harvest the grafting material.
While the bone graft procedure may be completed in 45-90 minutes on average, it will take several months to achieve a solid bone mass. You should also plan on a recovery period of about two weeks following your procedure, during which you may experience some pain and discomfort, which can be managed with over-the-counter or pain relieving medication
Once the bone graft process is complete, you will be ready to schedule a follow up appointment to have a dental implant placed.
Types of Bone Grafts
There are several different types of material that can be used for your bone graft. During your initial consultation, your periodontist will detail what types of grafts are available, the disadvantages and advantages of each, and which graft they recommend and why. The four most common types of bone grafts include:
- Autograft: Bone is sourced from the back of the patients jaw or their hip bone
- Allograft: Human bone sourced from a cadaver
- Xenograft: Bone sourced from an animal, most often a cow
- Alloplastic: Made of synthetic material that contains hydroxyapatite, calcium and phosphorous.
Guided Tissue Regeneration
To help encourage your body’s process of regenerating tissue and bone, tissue-stimulating growth factor proteins may be used. One of the most common methods for helping facilitate this process is guided tissue regeneration (GTR). After your bone graft has been placed, your periodontist will insert a small piece of mesh between the bone and your gum, which will help block the gum from growing into the area where new bone needs to regenerate.
How Do I Know if I Have Gum Disease?
While your periodontist will be able to identify gum disease in its early stages during your regular examinations, it is important to be attentive to these common symptoms of gum disease. If you notice any of the following, schedule an appointment for an evaluation as soon as possible. If periodontal disease is present, the sooner it is treated, the better.
- Gums bleed easily when brushing or flossing
- Gums are swollen or puffy
- Chronic halitosis
- Teeth that feel loose
- Tooth sensitivity
- Discomfort or pain when chewing
How to Prevent Bone Loss
While some people are at an increased risk of developing periodontal disease, either due to genetic predisposition or other underlying health conditions, in most cases gum disease and bone loss is preventable, provided you are willing to take the necessary steps to maintain your oral health. This means brushing and flossing your teeth daily and being mindful of the types of foods you eat.
While regular examinations are recommended every six months, patients who have already developed periodontal disease or are at an increased risk of doing so may benefit from scheduling regular periodontal maintenance every three or four months. By making this commitment to your oral health, you will significantly reduce your risk of developing issues like additional bone loss and continue to enjoy a bright, healthy smile for many years to come!