If you have experienced any of the above concerns, Waterloo West Dentistry can help. We can advise if you are a good candidate for bone grafting or gum tissue grafting, and guide you on whether the procedure is beneficial for you. No referral is necessary.
Bone grafting is a minor surgical procedure to counteract bone loss and ensure you have enough bone for maintaining healthy teeth or to undergo corrective treatments. The procedure can take as little as 20 minutes and up to about 90 minutes, depending on the location of the graft and how much grafting material needs to be placed.
There are several occasions when a bone graft may be recommended. A bone graft is often performed after a tooth extraction to prevent the bone loss that is associated with tooth loss.
Bone grafting is regularly completed before placing dental implants, to ensure that there is enough bone mass and adequate bone density for the implant to take successfully. They are also done whenever bone loss may negatively affect neighboring teeth. Bone grafts are common, too, when severe periodontal disease causes bone loss, creating loose teeth that may be lost. In all these cases, bone grafts help reverse the bone loss process and create more stability for natural teeth roots or dental implants, giving you enough tooth-supporting bone for optimal oral health.
Many patients are anxious about a bone grafting procedure, but it is considered a minor surgical procedure. Only local anesthesia is needed, although we can provide sedation if necessary.
There may be some soreness to the site where the incision was made after your surgery which can be helped by over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and pain relievers. Icing often helps, too. The soreness should only last a couple of days, and should not be severe.
There are different types of dental bone grafting. Socket preservation is a graft placed in a socket after a tooth extraction. Ridge augmentation may be used if you have had missing teeth for a period of time and your jawbone has started to thin. This increases the jawbone volume and width to allow for dental implants or procedures. A sinus lift raises the sinus area that has dropped due to tooth loss back to its proper position, with a bone graft placed underneath the sinus. Periodontal bone grafts are used when gum disease has eroded bone around teeth to secure and support them better.
There are several benefits to bone grafting. A bone graft restores a healthy bone mass, which is essential for supporting the stability of your existing, natural tooth as well as for a tooth replacement like a dental implant. When you have a missing tooth, bone density in the surrounding bone often drops, so bone grafting material often needs to be added for the dental implant surgery to be successful. Bone grafting also is helpful in severe cases to prevent sagging of the jawbone and facial distortion due to bone loss. It is a critical procedure that helps greatly with your overall oral health, while restoring your self confidence, as well.
If you have any concerns about your gums or bone structure, or if recommended by another professional, visit us for a consultation. We will review your case, examine you, and discuss options. No referral is necessary.
We will work with you to develop a treatment plan to restore your smile. We can offer sedation for procedures, although local anesthesia is usually all that is required.
At Waterloo West Dentistry, we understand you may be anxious about a treatment. We are experienced professionals with expertise in these treatments to ensure excellent results. We take advantage of advanced technology to provide you with the best results, and the most comfortable experience, whether you need gum or bone grafts, or both. Let us know if you have any concerns or individual factors that should be considered in treatment; we work closely with you to provide you with the best treatment options for your needs. We ensure you understand your treatment options and are confident with the procedure. We always take time to answer all of your questions. Our relaxed and friendly dental office will put you at ease, but if you are very anxious, we can offer sedation. At Waterloo West Dentistry, we make sure you have a positive experience throughout, and will leave with a beautiful smile!
Grafting gum tissue is considered a minor surgical procedure, and is pain-free. It involves placing soft tissue grafting material onto your gum line, to replace your lost gum tissue. This grafting material adds to your own gum tissues to create a more stable layer or banding around the tooth. Gum grafting can be used to cover an exposed tooth root, or generally increase gum thickness, depending on your specific needs.
The graft can come from your own tissue, often from your cheek or palate, or from donor tissues. Generally, using your own tissue provides the best results. Grafting your gum line is not painful; a local anaesthetic is used so you are comfortable during the procedure. Sedation is not necessary, but we can provide it for our anxious patients. The procedure usually takes about 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the procedure. Covering exposed roots is often a longer procedure than simply increasing the thickness. Once the affected areas are numbed, your surgeon will make a small incision in the gum area. Next, your surgeon will harvest a small amount of tissue from the chosen donor site. Your gum graft is placed over the exposed teeth roots or wherever it needs to go. The gum tissue at the site is repositioned and the area stitched up. The sutures or stitches may fall out on their own or may need to be removed at another visit.
The recovery process takes about two weeks, and you will be able to eat and drink again relatively quickly, although you will need to limit yourself to soft foods and avoid hot food or drinks until the area has healed. You will also need to avoid brushing around the area until healed. There may be some sensitivity, but you should not experience pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers should help.
