What is Bone Grafting?

Dental bone grafting is a procedure designed to regenerate new bone growth and provide a stable foundation for dental implants and other restorative treatments. Many factors—including missing teeth—can cause progressive bone loss, and the amount of jaw bone recession often increases the longer absent spaces in the teeth remain unfilled. If you lack the necessary bone density to support a dental implant, bone grafting can be used to rebuild new bone at the implant site and restore the full integrity of your oral structures.

Why is Bone Grafting Necessary?

Inadequate bone density and a weak supportive structure can decrease the long-term success of a dental implant or other missing tooth replacement. In turn, patients with a significant loss in jaw bone volume may require a preliminary bone grafting procedure before receiving restorative treatment. Bone loss is commonly experienced as a result of:

• Tooth loss or extraction—When a missing tooth causes a gradual recession of jaw bone volume, this structural deficit is usually known as a “bone defect.” Studies show that patients who have experienced tooth loss or an extraction can lose approximately 40 to 60 percent of surrounding bone within three years.
• Periodontal disease—Unaddressed bacteria buildup and gum disease are a common cause of progressive bone loss. In many cases, the affected areas continually worsen until teeth loosen and become destabilized.
• Injury or trauma—Infections, physical injuries, and sudden blows to the oral structures can all negatively affect the health and strength of the jaw bone, often causing some degree of bone recession when this trauma is left untreated.

If you need to replace one or more teeth, Dr. Chondrogiannis will perform an oral examination to assess the condition of your teeth and gums. If your adjacent teeth are in poor condition, or if you exhibit signs of periodontal disease, these concerns will be fully addressed before consideration of a bone grafting procedure.

What are the Benefits of Bone Grafting?

Patients who require additional strengthening of their underlying bone structures can benefit greatly from bone grafting. This technique can help you achieve the necessary restorative care to renew the state of your smile, as well as your oral health. Bone regeneration can positively impact the health and stability of the teeth by:

• Providing a solid foundation for restorative treatment or dental implantation
• Preventing further bone recession following tooth loss, tooth extraction, periodontal disease, or injury

Once the jaw bone is sufficiently rebuilt, restorative treatment to address missing teeth or damage to the enamel can begin.

What Does a Bone Grafting Procedure Involve?

To evaluate the condition of your oral structures, Dr. Chondrogiannis may recommend panoramic x-rays to assess the exact width and depth of existing jaw bone. In some cases, a CAT scan may be utilized to further examine your bone state. Depending on these results, Dr. Chondrogiannis may administer an anesthetic and initiate further exploration into the gum tissue to gauge how much bone growth is required.

During the procedure, new bone is regenerated by transplanting a piece of harvested bone to the area in need of structural support. At the time of surgery, Dr. Chondrogiannis will use a local anesthetic to numb the grafting sites. The harvested bone will be anchored into place using a small incision in the treated area. Depending on your unique case, a synthetic membrane may be used as coverage for the bone to prevent bacterial infections and facilitate the process. The new bone should fuse with existing bone over time, fostering cohesive integration and new cell growth. After the procedure, you will be provided with detailed post-operative instructions as well as any necessary medications to manage swelling and general discomfort. Bone grafting does not usually require an overnight stay.

How Long Does Bone Grafting Take?

It is not uncommon for the bone grafting process to be completed over the course of several months. While some patience will be required, the end result is usually a revived jaw bone structure that can effectively support a dental implant or dental bridge for restored function of the teeth and a renewed smile.

Why Choose Center for Smiles for Your Bone Grafting Procedure?

Dr. Chris Chondrogiannis has extensive experience in performing the bone grafting procedure to increase the height or width of your jaw bone, or to fill depressions and defects in the bone structure. In addition to holding membership to a multitude of local and national periodontic organizations, Dr. Chondrogiannis is a clinical instructor at NYU’s College of Dentistry Full Mouth Rehabilitation CDE program. With his extensive training in implantology and repairing the supportive structures of the teeth, Dr. Chondrogiannis is well-equipped to devise an optimal treatment plan to help you reclaim the health and appearance of your smile.

Questions? Please contact Center for Smiles to schedule a consultation, or to speak to a member of our team.