Understanding the Process of a Bone Grafting Procedure

Bone grafting is a common procedure used in dentistry to repair or replace damaged tooth structures. Bone grafting in 76210 is used to repair teeth that decay, fractures, or injuries have damaged. It is also used to replace teeth that have been lost to disease or infection.  

The process of bone grafting is similar to bone healing, which occurs in our bodies. A new bone is formed during the healing process to repair damaged or defective bone.

Bone Grafting Procedure Explained

Why is Bone Grafting Necessary?  

When a bone is damaged or injured, the body replaces it with fibrous connective tissue (spongy tissue) called "scar tissue." This scar tissue, made of collagen fibers and cells, provides temporary support for the damaged area until the new bone can grow and replace the scar tissue.  

Eventually, the body will produce new bone to replace the damaged area. But this healing process takes a lot of time, and it is not possible to wait for the body to heal a damaged bone. Therefore, bone grafting is used to accelerate the healing process. It is done by placing a bone graft material in the affected area to stimulate the bone to grow into it.  

Your dentist can prepare bone grafts from the patient's own bone, a bone from a donor, or a medical-grade synthetic material. The goal is to make a scaffold that will stimulate the damaged area to the new bone. The bone graft is most commonly done with a surgical procedure.

Who Needs Bone Grafting?  

Bone grafts can be used in patients with damaged teeth, infected implants, and bone loss after tooth extractions, including tooth loss due to periodontal disease or facial trauma. Bone grafts can also help heal bone fractures and support areas where bone repair is needed for dental implants.  

Bone grafts can also be used in reconstructive cases where bone loss is already present. You can use them to fill large gaps where a tooth has been lost or where large areas of bone are missing. If you suffer from any of these conditions, it's best to talk to your dentist so that you can discuss the possibilities of the procedure.  

What Happens in a Bone Grafting Procedure?  

A bone grafting procedure begins with a thorough evaluation and diagnosis of the patient's health. Your dentist will take X-rays and review your dental records to determine if the condition of your teeth, gums, and jawbone is correct for the procedure. The dentist will typically prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.  

On the day of your procedure, the gum tissues are numbed, and your dentist scans the jaw, which is used to plan the placement sites for the bone grafts and the implants. Once the planned graft sites have been determined, an incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the bone. The bone graft material is placed in the defect. The grafted area is then filled with an antibiotic paste to prevent infection. The bone graft is then stabilized with a barrier membrane.  

Do You Think You Need Bone Grafting in 76210?  

If you suffer from any of the conditions mentioned above, it's best to talk to your dentist so that you can discuss the possibilities of a bone grafting procedure. Call us at Texas Oral Surgery Group today to book a consultation.