One or several missing teeth can affect your ability to eat and talk – as well as your self-esteem. Did you know that they can cause more problems in the long term? When left untreated, missing teeth can affect the jawbone. By the time you consider dental implants, your jawbone may no longer be strong enough to support a complete tooth replacement system.
But this shouldn’t mean the end of the road to restoring your smile. At Periodontal Associates, our certified and experienced periodontists can strengthen your jawbone with a bone graft. Find out why among dozens of periodontists in Mississauga, we’re the top choice for bone grafting and other specialized periodontal treatments.
What is dental bone grafting?
The applications of bone grafting are endless. Bone grafts are commonly used in various parts of the body to help replace missing and weakened bone.
In particular, dental bone grafts are used to repair and strengthen the jawbone. For many people, bone grafting is often a necessary first step in replacing missing teeth with dental implants. Over time, missing teeth can cause the affected areas in the jawbone to atrophy or be reabsorbed. As a result, you may not be a suitable candidate for implants.
But with a bone graft, you can proceed with dental implants. A successful graft encourages regeneration, allowing the natural bone to grow and absorb the graft. Once it heals, the jawbone will be strong enough to support dental implants, and our periodontists can proceed with restoring your smile.
Types of Bone Grafts
There are 3 commonly used grafts, defined by their source:
- Autografts: The graft is harvested from bone tissue in other parts of your body, such as your chin, shin, or hip.
- Allografts: The bone tissue comes from another human donor, extensively treated to eliminate disease
- Xenografts: The graft uses animal bone tissue, such as a cow.
Among these, autografts are the most commonly used. Keep in mind that your periodontist will recommend the best type of graft for your needs and overall health.
Who needs a dental bone graft?
Bone grafting is required if you are getting dental implants and don’t have sufficient bone density in your jawbone. This means your jawbone isn’t strong enough to support implants and fuse with them.
Aside from having missing teeth, there are other factors that can weaken the jawbone. These include aging, genetic or developmental factors, trauma to the jaw, and untreated periodontal disease.
How is dental bone grafting performed? Our bone grafting process
Did your periodontist recommend a bone graft? With a successful graft, you’re one step closer to restoring your smile. See how we perform this crucial procedure in preparation for your dental implants.
1. Consultation and pre-op planning
During your first visit to Periodontal Associates, your periodontist will assess the strength of your jawbone and create a personalized treatment plan. They will discuss the different types of graft material and recommend the best one based on your specific needs and overall bone density.
2. Pre-op preparation
On the day of your bone graft procedure, your periodontist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. They may also recommend IV sedation if the graft material will be harvested from your own bone tissue, or if you experience anxiety during dental procedures.
3. Bone graft extraction
If your periodontist has recommended an autograft, they will extract bone tissue from another part of your body. Additionally, they may also perform tooth extraction if you need a tooth removed. Combining both procedures typically encourages faster healing. If you are using allografts,
4. Bone grafting
Once the donor tissue is harvested, your periodontist will graft it onto the affected area. They will create an incision along the gum line to reach the bone and attach the graft. The graft will be sutured in place, and possibly supported by pins, plates, wires, cables, and titanium screws to keep the tissue together. If you received an autograft, the donor site will also be sutured.
5. Recovery
After your bone grafting procedure, you can rest and recover at home. If you were sedated or placed under general anesthesia, make sure someone else is driving you. Over the next 4 to 6 months, the graft will heal. And once it does, you will be ready for dental implants.
After Your Dental Bone Graft
During recovery, you may experience normal post-op side effects, such as pain, swelling, and bruising. Your periodontist can prescribe painkillers and antibiotics to manage pain and prevent infection.
Over the first few days, you may also see small bone fragments coming out of the graft site. These fragments may look like grains of salt or sand. Keep in mind that this isn’t usually a cause for concern, but call your periodontist to confirm that the bone grafting is healing properly.
How successful are bone grafts?
Dental bone grafting is highly successful. It’s the key to many people in Mississauga and all over Canada to get dental implants.
But, like any procedure, it also comes with certain risks. For example, people who smoke or have certain pre-existing conditions are at risk of bone graft failure. Here are the signs of bone graft failure:
- Worsening pain or swelling after the first week of recovery
- Pus or drainage from the graft site
- Gum recession
- No changes in the volume of the jawbone.
Why do you need a periodontist to perform periodontal bone grafting?
For all matters concerning the teeth and gums, the dentist is the first person that everyone talks to. And while that covers the basics of good oral health, they may not always be the best person to help. For problems with your jawbone that keep you from getting dental implants, our periodontists in Mississauga provide the specialized treatments and care you need, including bone grafting.
At Periodontal Associates, our team of periodontists has completed a three-year post-graduate degree after dental school. This equips them with the skills and surgical training they need to assess the health of your jawbone, perform bone grafting to strengthen it and provide you with dental implants.
How much does jawbone grafting cost?
For many people in Mississauga looking to replace missing teeth, jawbone grafting is a necessary step to ensure the success of dental implants. Depending on the graft material, there may be two procedures involved—harvesting the graft from the donor site, then grafting it onto your jawbone. This means the cost of bone grafting can vary based on the size of the treatment area and your unique periodontal needs.
Here are the most common factors that determine the cost of your bone grafting in Mississauga:
- Size of the graft area: Perhaps the most crucial factor, the size of the graft needed for the treatment area determines how long the procedure takes and the work involved in performing the graft successfully.
- Insurance coverage: If you have dental insurance that covers dental implants, including bone grafting, this can reduce your out-of-pocket cost.
- Periodontist: Your periodontist plays a major role in ensuring the success of bone grafting, so it heals properly, and you can proceed to dental implants. Make sure your periodontist has a reputation for successful bone grafting and dental implants.
For the exact cost of your bone grafting, it’s best to talk to your periodontist and learn more about your specific treatment needs.
What to look for when choosing a periodontist for bone grafting? The Periodontal Associates Difference
Periodontal Associates is proudly led by a team of periodontists who are highly trained, experienced, and certified. With these qualifications, you can count on us to deliver the best possible outcome for your bone grafting procedure. But more importantly, we believe in people-centred care. This means putting your needs and goals at the heart of what we do, from explaining how bone grafting works and addressing your concerns, to providing long-term periodontal care in Mississauga.
- Bone grafting expertise: Periodontal Associates specializes in bone grafting. With our experienced periodontists, you can count on an accurate diagnosis, expert recommendation on the best type of graft, proper healing, and excellent prognosis to continue with your tooth restoration.
- Personalized treatment plan: By putting your needs at the centre of what we do, we’re able to personalize treatment to ensure successful bone grafting. Our periodontists will recommend the best type of graft and review your history to make a safe and informed decision.
- Affordable and accessible: We’re committed to providing more people like you in Mississauga with bone grafts, so you can proceed with replacing your missing teeth. We accept most insurance coverages and offer financing plans.
- Conveniently located, state-of-the-art clinic: Our safe and welcoming clinic is conveniently located close to Highway 403, so you can easily get to your appointments from anywhere in Mississauga or the GTA.
Don’t let a weakened jawbone prevent you from replacing missing teeth with the most advanced and lasting treatments. Find out if bone grafting is right for you when you talk to our periodontists today.
