Rebuild and Strengthen Your Jawbone with Bone Grafting at Lakeview Dental

At Lakeview Dental, we offer bone grafting to patients who need to restore or strengthen the jawbone before receiving dental implants. Bone grafting is a common procedure that helps regenerate lost or weakened bone, providing a solid foundation for implants and ensuring long-term success. Dr. Alexa Crete works closely with patients to determine if bone grafting is necessary and to develop a treatment plan that will restore both function and aesthetics to your smile.

What is Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure used to rebuild and strengthen the jawbone. When teeth are lost or removed, the jawbone can begin to deteriorate over time due to lack of stimulation. This bone loss can make it difficult to place dental implants, as there may not be enough bone to securely hold the implant in place. Bone grafting involves placing bone material—either from your own body, a donor, or synthetic materials—into the area of the jaw that needs reinforcement. Over time, the graft will fuse with the existing bone, promoting growth and creating a stronger foundation for dental implants.

When is Bone Grafting Needed?

Bone grafting is typically recommended when there is not enough healthy bone in the jaw to support dental implants. This can occur for several reasons, including:

• Tooth Loss: When teeth are lost, the underlying bone may begin to shrink and deteriorate, leading to bone loss over time.
• Gum Disease: Advanced periodontal disease can cause significant bone loss in the jaw, making it difficult to place dental implants without grafting.
• Trauma or Injury: Accidents or injuries to the jaw can result in bone damage or loss, which may require grafting to restore the structure.
• Bone Atrophy: If you have been missing teeth for a long period of time, the jawbone may shrink due to lack of stimulation, making bone grafting necessary before implants can be placed.

Benefits of Bone Grafting

• Improved Implant Success: Bone grafting strengthens the jawbone, ensuring a stable foundation for dental implants and increasing the likelihood of successful implant placement.
• Prevents Facial Collapse: Bone grafting helps maintain the natural shape of your face by preserving or restoring bone that may have been lost due to tooth loss or disease.
• Supports Long-Term Oral Health: Rebuilding the jawbone can improve your overall oral health by restoring the structure of your jaw and creating a more stable environment for dental implants.

The Bone Grafting Process

1. Consultation: Dr. Crete will perform a comprehensive evaluation, including digital X-rays or 3D imaging, to assess the condition of your jawbone and determine if bone grafting is necessary.
2. Graft Placement: During the bone grafting procedure, the graft material will be placed in the area of the jaw where bone is needed. The graft may be taken from your own body (autograft), a donor (allograft), or use synthetic bone materials.
3. Healing and Integration: After the graft is placed, a healing period is required for the bone to integrate with the surrounding jawbone. This process, known as osseointegration, typically takes several months.
4. Implant Placement: Once the graft has fully integrated with your jawbone and there is sufficient bone to support the implant, Dr. Crete will proceed with the placement of dental implants.