Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a procedure used by dental professionals around the world. Thanks to the advancement in bone grafting technology over the years, dental implants have seen a major surge in demand and success. If you’ll be undergoing dental bone grafting in the near future or are just curious about the procedure, there are some basic details you need to know.
Dental bone grafting is a procedure in which bone grafting material is surgically placed in the jawbone to stimulate bone regeneration. A bone grafting procedure typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes and is followed by a 1 to 2 week healing period. Once a trained oral surgeon identifies that a bone graft was successful, a dental implant can then be performed.
Our guide below answers some of the most common questions surrounding dental bone grafts.
How Does Dental Bone Grafting Work?
While the general idea of how bone grafting works is known by many people, the specific details aren’t as commonly known. As noted above, the intent of bone grafting is to regenerate bone within the jaw by surgically placing bone grafting material in the target area. The actual bone graft procedure is marked by a few distinct steps.
The steps of a bone graft procedure generally include:
- Local or IV sedation: The type of sedation used will depend on multiple factors including the patient’s level of dental anxiety, location of the graft, and whether or not an extraction is part of the procedure.
- Graft sourcing and/or tooth extraction: In some cases, grafting material is sourced or a tooth is extracted during the bone grafting procedure.
- Graft placement: The oral surgeon will carefully place the grafting material onto the exposed bone after the area has been thoroughly cleaned.
- Stitching: After the graft has been successfully attached to the bone, the area is safely closed with a stitch. The type of material used for the suture can vary.
- Recovery: The healing process includes a chloraseptic rinse applied directly to the treated area.
While most procedures follow the steps above, the equipment and technology used will vary for each provider. At Sedaros Oral Facial Surgery & Dental Implants, we maintain the latest equipment & technology to ensure your bone graft procedure is comfortable and successful.
How Painful Are Dental Bone Grafts?
Like many dental procedures, pain is a concern for prospective patients. Luckily, a dental bone graft isn’t any more painful than other dental procedures like root canals, crowns, or fillings. Of course, pain is subjective, so each individual will have varying degrees of comfortability when it comes to the procedure.
Ultimately, your oral surgeon should discuss pain expectations with you, as well as your past dental procedure experience. Dr. Sedaros is patient and takes the time to fully walk through the bone graft procedure with you. His transparent, friendly approach ensures you’re comfortable when it comes time to complete the procedure.
How Long Does it Take for a Dental Bone Graft to Heal?
The healing process after a bone graft has been completed can be broken down into separate steps. Each step has its own distinct timeline.
The two stages of recovery after a bone graft are:
- The period in which the treated area heals and the sutures are removed/naturally dissolve. This recovery time typically lasts 1-2 weeks.
- The period in which the grafted material leads to new bone growth within the jawbone. This duration of time is more varied and can last anywhere between 3 to 6 months.
In some cases, a bone graft can fail and step 2 never occurs. When this happens, another bone graft is typically completed.
Reliable Bone Grafting You Can Count On
Whether you’re preparing for a future dental implant or you experience a significant dental trauma, Sedaros Oral Facial Surgery & Dental Implants is here for you. Dr. Sedaros has successfully performed the bone graft procedure on countless patients, giving them much needed peace of mind.
Do you still have questions about bone grafting? Contact our team today. We’re here and ready to help you.