If your jawbone is not thick enough to support dental implants, you may have to undergo a bone graft. It is a simple, minor surgical procedure that strengthens the jaw and ensures that your implants are secure.
The process usually takes three to six months. In this time, the bone is regenerated around the graft material. After the surgery is over, patients are asked to maintain a healthy diet and regular oral hygiene.
Before the implant is placed, an oral surgeon will make a small incision in your gums to access the bone underneath. This process is often performed in the dentist's office and is not a major surgery.
After the incision is made, a hole is drilled into the jawbone. A titanium screw is then fixed in the empty space. When the post is placed, it fuses with the bone.
A bone graft is a procedure that strengthens the jawbone and makes it more resistant to fracture. Traditionally, this procedure involves transplanting bone from another part of the patient's body. But there are other alternative ways to graft bone.
Patients with soft, thin, or weak jawbones are more likely to have bone grafts. These patients may also be advised to take antibiotics to prevent infection.
Before your procedure, your dentist will examine your teeth and jaw. They will also ask you to provide a list of any medications you are taking. Your medical history can help your doctor decide if you need a bone graft.
An oral surgeon may advise you to stop smoking before the procedure. If you are under sedation, it is important that someone drive you home after the procedure. You should plan to rest for the remainder of the day.
If you are considering dental implants, you may want to consider having a bone graft at the time of tooth extraction. This type of procedure will protect your jaw from shrinking around the surgical site and will also make a solid foundation for a future dental implant.
Bone grafts are typically made of human, animal or synthetic bone. They are also known as bone augmentation grafting because they add height and width to a sagging bone.
The material used to create the graft is commonly a collagen sponge or a synthetic bone, though it can also be a piece of donated bone. It usually comes with a membrane to help keep it in place.
A dental bone graft may also contain additional materials that will help it heal. These include tissue stimulating proteins, which recruit bone-growing cells.
Dental bone grafting is an outpatient procedure. Patients need to take some time to recover. Typically, the healing process takes between 14 days and two months, although this can vary from patient to patient.
The best way to avoid infection after bone grafting is to follow post-operative care instructions. Your dentist will likely provide you with specific instructions that will aid your recovery. For instance, it is best to limit your activity for at least two weeks.
You should not rinse your mouth with water for 24 hours, as this can cause damage to the graft. Instead, use a soft mouthwash with fresh gauze every twenty minutes. Also, don't eat or drink anything for at least two hours after the procedure.
In addition to your post-operative care, you should also follow your dentist's advice about how to take care of your newly-acquired teeth. Brushing and flossing should be done gently to ensure that no food particles are left behind.
You'll probably experience pain and bleeding after a tooth extraction, especially if you've had dental implant surgery. There are a number of things you can do to help reduce these symptoms and promote healing.
A soft diet is advised during the first few days after a tooth extraction. This will help loosen the jaw muscles. It's also important not to chew directly on the area where the implant is placed. Instead, you should chew on the opposite side of the implant.
You should rinse the area with warm salt water and irrigate the lower extraction site(s) with tap water once or twice a day. If you notice heavy bleeding, contact your dentist.
The gum tissue should be closing around the socket. This is natural and will take a few days to fully heal.
You can start to brush the area once it's healed. Doing so will help to maintain your oral health and prevent infection.
You should avoid eating hard or spicy foods during the first week after the procedure. For the second week, you can eat mashed potatoes, macaroni, and other firmer foods. However, you should still avoid carbonated liquids and straws.
Your dentist may offer a cold or heat pack to relieve swelling. After the first 48 hours, you can replace the gauze packing, but do not apply ice packs for more than 20 minutes at a time.
Bleeding and swelling are normal. Biting down on a clean, folded gauze can stop the bleeding after a couple of hours.
The swelling will subside as your body heals. Swelling can last up to a week after a tooth extraction, but it's not a cause for concern unless it's excessive.
If you are wearing dentures, you may be experiencing problems with bone loss. This can affect your appearance and your oral health. The cause of this problem is a poor fit of the dentures.
A poor fit can contribute to bone loss. The reason is that when a person wears a loose or unfitted denture, it places an increased amount of pressure on the soft gum tissue. In turn, this can irritate the underlying bone. Ultimately, this pressure causes resorption of the bone.
Dental implants can provide a lifelike solution for those who want to replace missing teeth. They also provide stimulation to the jawbone. These implants prevent bone loss and can slow it.
If you are wearing a traditional denture, it can accelerate the rate of bone loss. This can be uncomfortable, and it can affect your appearance. You can also develop a sagging jaw. Bone loss affects the entire face. It can make you look older, and it can lead to excessive wrinkles.
While you may be able to wear a loose denture, this can speed up the process of bone loss. Wearing a loose denture can also increase the pressure on the bony ridge.
Some patients do not realize that their dentures are accelerating bone loss. They blame aging, weight loss, and other issues. However, the truth is that it is a common problem.
Traditionally, dentures rest directly on the gums. However, they can accelerate bone loss because they are not supplying enough stimulation.
Implant-supported dentures are a better choice. Implant-supported dentures are secured by strategically placed dental implants. Unlike traditional dentures, these implants provide full force chewing stimulation.
When you have a dental implant, you will need to take care of your oral health after the procedure. Following a few simple guidelines can ensure your new teeth last a lifetime.
The most important thing you can do to protect your new smile is to keep your mouth clean. That includes flossing and brushing your teeth. It also means avoiding acidic food and beverages.
A good dental care routine will help you avoid gum problems and other oral complications. Keeping your teeth and gums free from bacteria will prevent infections and other complications.
Depending on the type of dental implant surgery you have, the recovery time will vary. In general, most people can resume normal activities in a few days. However, people who have had multiple implant procedures or bone grafts may need to take longer to recover.
After a dental implant surgery, you will need to use special products to clean your implants. This will not only prevent bacteria from lingering near your surgical sites, but will also help the healing process.
Use warm salt-water rinses four to five times per day. These should be gentle and should be held over your surgical areas for a few minutes.
If you are experiencing pain, you can take over-the-counter pain medicine. You should not chew hard foods or drink anything other than water after you have had a dental implant. Your dentist will provide you with recommendations for proper aftercare.
To prevent further damage, wear a mouthguard while you are engaging in any physical activity. Wearing a mouthguard is not mandatory, but it can help reduce your chances of implant failure.