Over a period of time, the jawbone around a missing tooth or teeth atrophies, which means that it is reabsorbed. If this occurs, there is often not enough bone structure or the quality is too low for dental implant placement. With modern advancements, oral surgeons like Dr. Michael Shnayder have the ability to encourage the growth of bone where needed. To allow implants to be placed and to restore the functionality and appearance of the patient’s smile, our oral surgeon provides bone grafting in Omaha, Nebraska.
Bone grafting is used when there is inadequate bone structure because of previous tooth extraction, gum disease, or injuries. Bone from a tissue bank or your own bone is used for the bone graft. If your own bone is used, it is taken from your jaw, hip, or tibia. If there is not enough bone in the upper jaw, a sinus graft is performed. Guided bone regeneration, which is also called guided tissue regeneration, uses special membranes that protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration.
Our oral surgeon will separate the gums to gain access to the bone. The grafting material is placed and then the gums are but back over the area and stitched into place. Your body will fill the area with new bone over the next six to nine months.
For more information and to schedule an appointment, contact Village Pointe Oral Surgery today.
Do I have enough bone?
After tooth extraction, the socket will fill naturally with bone within two or three months if the walls are very thick. However, if the walls of your tooth socket are very thin (like in your upper and lower front teeth), natural bone may not fill the socket on its own. If this is the case, a bone graft may be placed at the time of extraction to help bone to grow in the empty socket. Bone grafting will help you to have enough bone structure when dental implants are placed several months later.
1. Inadequate Bone
2. Graft Material Placed
3. Implants Placed
If your tooth was extracted many years ago, your bony ridge may be thin and there may not be enough bone for implant placement. If this is the case, Dr. Michael Shnayder will provide a bone graft in Omaha, Nebraska. The graft will be placed where the bone is thin and will be allowed to heal for about six months. After the graft has fused to your natural bone, our oral surgeon will re-enter the ridge and place the implant.
1. Inadequate Bone
2. Graft Material and Implant Placed
If the sinus cavities in your upper jaw are very large or very low, they may extend into the tooth-bearing areas. If this is the case, a bone grafting procedure called sinus grafting may be necessary. This procedure can be performed by our oral surgeon with anesthesia and sometimes sedation. Dr. Michael Shnayder will elevate the membrane that lines the sinus and add bone grafting material to restore bone height so that dental implants can be placed. Often, this procedure can be performed when the implants are placed.
To learn more and to schedule an appointment, contact Village Pointe Oral Surgery today.
