Jawbone deterioration can affect your oral function, lead to further tooth loss, and give your face a sunken appearance. A bone graft fills in the areas of loss to address this issue and allows patients to qualify for dental implants. This is a common dental procedure, but there are a few types of bone grafts depending on the area of need along your jaw. Learn about the different types of bone grafts and how our dental practice in Astoria, NY, can help you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.
What Causes Jawbone Deterioration?
Bone loss often occurs following tooth loss. Tooth roots provide the jawbone the stimulation it needs to remain healthy. When you lose a tooth or have a tooth extracted, the jaw no longer receives that stimulation and can begin to deteriorate. When placed soon enough, dental implants can stop and prevent this deterioration from occurring.
Jawbone atrophy can also happen due to periodontal disease or other issues like osteoporosis. Fortunately, bone grafting can help address multiple types of bone loss to help you restore and maintain a healthy jawbone.
Types of Bone Grafts
Socket Preservation – This type of bone graft is done following a tooth extraction. This builds up the hole left behind when the tooth is pulled to prevent it from caving in and causing further bone loss. This proactive approach can prevent patients from needing more extensive bone grafting later.
Ridge Augmentation – People with extensive tooth loss or who have had missing teeth for a longer period of time often suffer from thinner jawbones. A ridge augmentation fills in these thin areas to provide a more stable foundation for traditional dentures or dental implant or implant-supported dentures
Sinus Lift – A sinus lift is a procedure in which this empty part of the sinus is filled with a bone graft to support dental implants. Without a bone graft, the dental implants would not have enough material to anchor to, and there is also a risk of the sinus membrane being penetrated which can cause additional issues. A sinus lift addresses both of these issues.
Periodontal Bone Graft – Gum disease can not only be painful, but it can cause the bone that supports your teeth to erode. This can cause your teeth to become loose and lead to tooth loss. A periodontal bone graft is used in this case to build up support around your existing teeth.
What Types of Material Are Used During Bone Grafts?
There are several types of material that may be used during your bone grafting procedure at our Astoria practice:
- Human Bone – This material can come from another part of your body or from a donor. Donor tissue is fully sterilized before it is placed.
- Animal Bone – Animal bone taken for bone grafting is thoroughly sterilized.
- Synthetic Material – Synthetic materials that replicate natural bone can also be used for grafting.
Contact Astoria Dental Group
If you suffer from bone deterioration, the sooner it is addressed, the better. Our dental practice in Astoria, NY, can help you achieve a healthy, functional, and attractive smile with bone grafting, dental implants, and custom restorations. To find out if bone grafting is right for you, contact our practice online or call us at (718) 215-0510 to schedule a consultation with our skilled dentists.
