Dental Implants and Bone Grafting

If you are interested in dental implants but do not have sufficient bone density to secure the implant post, bone grafting may be a good option for you. With bone grafting, the oral surgeon can build up your existing jawbone structure so you can take advantage of this effective restorative dentistry option.

Dental Implants Overview

Dental implants are the ideal choice for patients who want a permanent solution for missing teeth. Unlike dentures, dental implants are not removable. Instead, they are permanently placed to provide a highly-functional and natural-looking replacement for missing teeth. Your dentist can help you decide if this treatment option is appropriate for you.

Procedure Information

In order to secure the dental implants in the mouth, they have to be affixed to the jawbone. Dental implants consist of metal screws that are grafted to the bones in the upper and lower jaw. They are then covered with a cap or a crown so that they look like a real tooth. Not everyone, however, is a candidate for dental implants. One of the main criteria for dental implant patients is sufficient bone density to secure the implant post. If you are interested in this treatment option but do not have sufficient bone density, bone grafting can be used to build up your jawbone.

Bone Grafting Overview

There are several different procedures that can be used to build bone density prior to a dental implants procedure. Typically, the oral surgeon will graft bone from other areas of your jaw or from your chin to the dental implant site. After a healing period of about 6 to 12 months, the dental implant post can be inserted.

For more information about bone grafting for dental implants, contact Exton Dental Health Group & The Pennsylvania Center for Cosmetic Dentistry. Our cosmetic dentistry center works with some of the area's finest oral surgeons to help patients at every stage of the dental implants procedure.