Bone and Gum Grafting Before Dental Implant Placement

Getting approval for dental implants is the first step in the process. Anyone interested in dental implants must undergo a consultation, examination, and assessment to be a viable candidate for the surgical process. Since an implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone, the patient needs to have sufficient bone and be free of gum disease. Read on to learn more.

About implant placement

Learning about how a dental implant works is important when considering implants as your tooth replacement option. A dental implant is surgically inserted into your jawbone, so you must have a sufficient amount of jawbone, as this supports the osteointegration process. In addition, because implant placement requires dental surgery, your mouth must be healthy, meaning there must be no gum disease.

The bone grafting process

The bone grafting process replaces any lost jawbone to regenerate a new jawbone. It does not matter whether bone loss is due to tooth decay or experiencing some trauma or injury. However, bone grafting is necessary when insufficient jawbone mass is available to insert an implant successfully. Even though performing a bone grafting procedure will add more time to the dental implant placement, many dental patients still choose to undergo the procedure.

While the bone grafting process is not difficult, it will take a few months for patients to recover from this initial dental surgery. The process starts when a dental professional inserts bone directly into the jawbone, which can be taken from the patient’s body or from another source. Once this additional bone is placed, it is up to the patient to take care of the area to ensure proper healing. Once the area is healed, the dental implant can be placed into the jawbone.

The gum grafting process

Patients experiencing issues with their gums or have been diagnosed with shrinking gums must deal with both aesthetic and functional problems. Gum grafts are an option for patients who have gum problems and are interested in getting one or more dental implants placed in their mouths. Gum grafts work when a dental professional removes some of the healthy gum tissue from the roof of the mouth and uses it to help build up areas in the mouth that are experiencing gum problems.

Three types of gum grafting procedures are available: connective tissue grafts, free gingival grafts, and lateral grafts. Before a patient undergoes gum grafting surgery, the dental professional will give them all the information they need to know before undergoing the procedure.

Want to find out if you are approved?

The dental implant approval process is not a difficult one. All you need to do is contact us now to schedule a consultation appointment at a convenient time. During this initial appointment, our experienced dental professional will thoroughly evaluate your mouth to determine whether you are indeed a good candidate for dental implants. Ready to find out if you are approved for this popular tooth replacement option?

Are you considering getting a dental implant in the Santa Barbara area? Get more information at https://www.hemingwaydds.com.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Implants in Santa Barbara, CA.