Bone Grafting

Bone grafting may be required to strengthen your jaw before receiving dental implants or dentures. At Kings Highway Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, the experienced team places bone grafts for patients needing restorations so they can have a healthy smile. If you’ve been told you need a bone graft, call the office or schedule a consultation online today.

What is bone grafting?

Bone grafting is a procedure that increases the density of your jawbone. Usually, bone grafting is recommended prior to dental implants if you have degradation of your jawbone and need to support an implant. 

During a bone graft, your surgeon places extra bone material in your jaw. When grafted, the new bone integrates with your existing bone. Restorative cells in the area of the graft encourage the growth of new bone cells to cover the graft and make it part of your jaw. 

What are the options for bone graft materials?

Before your procedure, your surgeon discusses your grafting options. 

You may opt for a synthetic bone-like material, a self-graft from bone elsewhere on your body, or animal or human donor bone grafts. 

The type of grafting material used depends on your case, your surgeon’s recommendation, and your personal preference. 

Who qualifies for bone grafting?

If you have bone loss in the jaw and want to get a dental implant, you may qualify for bone grafting. Bone loss happens when you have lost teeth, including the root, which stimulates bone integrity. You may have lost a tooth because of trauma or decay. 

The longer you don’t have a tooth root in the area of the lost tooth, the more opportunity your jawbone has to deteriorate. 

You may need bone grafting if you:

• Recently had a tooth extracted
• Need more jaw support for dentures
• Want a dental implant
• Lost bone because of gum disease

Bone grafting is a common procedure to boost oral health.

What is it like to heal after bone grafting?

You need to take some time to heal after a bone graft, especially if you plan on getting dental implants. 

Expect it to take several weeks after the procedure for all pain and soreness to resolve. The bone needs to fully integrate before you can receive an implant, which usually takes several months. 

The team at Kings Highway Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery recommends you take the following steps as you heal from a bone graft:

• Use ice to relieve discomfort and swelling
• Take over-the-counter pain medications to ease pain
• Avoid crunchy foods and hot liquids and foods
• Quit smoking
• Sleep with your head propped up

Always call the office if you have any concerns while healing from your bone graft. 

To find out more about bone grafting, call Kings Highway Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery or schedule a consultation online today.