Bone Grafting Pomona
Bones aren’t as unchanging as we might hope. Over time, they can change in density and shape, sometimes for the better. One the one hand, this adaptability is helpful for your body and is key to growth. But it also means that some less desirable changes can occur. Bones can weaken or become misshapen.
Tooth loss or damage can result in one of the more negative outcomes of bone change. If you have lost a tooth, the bone in that area can begin to weaken. When left unchecked, this can make future tooth replacement more difficult. It can even alter your appearance if the underlying bone loses too much of its form.
At Pearl Dental, bone grafting is a way to combat these changes, and lost bone can be restored. While it does have a positive impact on your appearance, it also makes replacing lost teeth much more feasible, allowing for procedures such as dental implants to become possible.
What is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting might sound daunting, but the procedure is actually quite straightforward. Dr. Changela makes a small incision in your gum to expose the target bone area. He then adds grafting material to the site. Your body takes it from there. Since the grafting material is often bone minerals, you naturally begin to form new bone cell deposits in that area.
Given time and proper care, the area will eventually return to its former state.
Where Does the Grafting Material Come From?
There are plenty of options. Some are natural, and others are synthetic. You might supply the material from your own body, but more often it is from another donor. Whether human or animal in origin, the material is always sterilized in a laboratory to prevent any contamination.
Synthetic materials are also a viable option. In both cases, the material acts as a stepping stone for your body to rebuild bone itself. You aren’t replacing the missing bone with bone minerals, but instead using those minerals to jumpstart your body’s natural regeneration.
The form of the material can vary. It can be gel-like, a powder, or even small granules. The material used can depend on the area treated and the individual patient’s needs.
Why Get a Bone Graft?
Though it can subtly improve the look and shape of your face, bone grafting is a highly practical procedure. Below are a couple of benefits that you could have from a bone grafting procedure.
Protect Your Remaining Teeth
If your teeth are becoming loose, a bone graft might be able to help. If the area around your teeth has become worn away from periodontal disease, you can risk losing your teeth. A bone graft can regenerate the bone around the roots of your teeth, keeping them where they belong.
Dental Implants
One of the requirements for a successful dental implant is sufficient bone structure. Good bone volume and density are vital to ensuring the implant is functional and stable. For many, bone grafting is a necessary first step before further procedures to replace missing teeth.
Also, if you have had a tooth extraction or recently lost a tooth, a bone graft is a way to ensure you can replace it in the future. Perhaps finances or health concerns currently prevent you from receiving an implant. A bone graft can help keep the bone around the missing tooth stable. When you are ready for an implant, it will be strong and healthy.
The Bone Grafting Procedure
Since bone grafting is a minimally invasive surgery, it can be done with only local anesthesia. However, sedation is also an option for alleviating anxiety about the procedure. Speak with the team at Pearl Dental, and they will help you decide which is best for you.
Dr. Changela makes the incision and places the graft in the target area. The surgery is done in-office, and you will be free to return home the same day.
Immediately after the surgery, some soreness is expected. Ice and over-the-counter medication should be more than enough to alleviate any discomfort, which should go away on its own in a couple of days.
After that, your body does the rest. It begins rebuilding the bone with its own material over the upcoming months until the area is once again healthy.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Don’t hesitate to take the first step in protecting your smile and ensuring continued oral health. Bone grafting is a simple way to ensure continued health for your mouth or to prepare your mouth for future treatment.
Schedule an appointment at Pearl Dental today. We work with each patient attentively to match a treatment plan according to their needs. If you have any questions, our team of professionals is ready to help.