Bone Grafting
When a tooth is lost or extracted, the bone in the jaw begins to deteriorate. Sadly, this natural process can make it challenging or impossible to replace the natural tooth. At Amigos Dental Care in Salt Lake City, Dr. Todd Petersen and Dr. Tad Tholstrom perform bone grafting surgery to rebuild missing jawbone tissue and create sturdy foundations for restorative dental work.
What is a bone graft, and how can it improve my smile after tooth loss?
A bone graft is a surgical procedure that involves taking a small piece of bone from one part of the body (or a donor) and using it to replace missing or damaged bone in another part of the body. Even though bone grafting might sound like an extensive procedure, rest assured that it’s quite common and can make a world of difference in restoring your smile!
Dental bone grafts are necessary when atrophy occurs. Therefore, our Salt Lake City dentists might suggest bone grafting for functional or cosmetic reasons, such as:
- Supporting dental implants
- Combating the consequences of gum disease
- Addressing congenital disabilities
- Promoting new bone growth after a facial injury
A Proven Solution for Jawbone Degeneration
You might be curious about the procedure if you’re about to undergo bone grafting surgery. Don’t worry. The Amigos Dental Care team is here to break it down for you in an easy-to-understand guide.
Because there are distinct types of bone grafting surgeries, our Salt Lake City dentists must determine which type of graft is best for you based on the type of restoration you’re interested in and the magnitude of the bone recession you’re experiencing. The most common types of bone grafting include:
Also called "socket preservation," this type of bone graft happens when grafting material is placed in the missing tooth socket immediately after dental extraction.
A consequence of prolonged tooth loss is jawbone thinning, so ridge augmentations add volume and width to the jawbone to provide a more stable foundation for dental implants and other restorative dentistry options.
When the upper back teeth are missing, the sinuses can drop and cause problems. When this occurs, our Salt Lake City dentists can strategically perform a sinus lift to raise the sinuses back to an appropriate position.
Advanced gum disease can erode the supporting bone, so periodontal bone grafts offer additional reinforcement by reducing existing tooth mobility.
After deciding which type of bone grafting surgery you need, Dr. Petersen or Dr. Tholstrom will perform oral surgery. First, your dentist will make an incision where you require the bone graft. Then, he’ll gently pull back the gums to expose the jawbone. Next, he’ll bore tiny holes into the bone and insert the new bone material. This process encourages healthy new bone growth, eventually fusing with the grafted bone tissue. Finally, your dentist will close the surgical incision with stitches and offer post-operative care instructions.
Bone Grafts Make Restorative Dentistry Possible
Even though bone grafting may initially sound overwhelming, Amigos Dental Care will take every measure to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the procedure. Dr. Petersen and Dr. Tholstrom perform bone grafting procedures to improve the jawbone’s structure. Find out if you could benefit from bone grafting by calling (385) 295-1601 or messaging our Salt Lake City dental office online.
