In order to maintain healthy volume and muscle tone, your jaw needs continuous and regular stimulation. This happens when you chew, speak and swallow. But when teeth are lost, a patient can no longer chew with ease, and the lack of stimulation ultimately causes loss of bone and muscle volume. Over time, critical basal bone melts away and the patient starts to have the familiar “old man” sunken features associated with tooth loss.
Can Dental Implants Keep Your Jaw Healthy?
So how does one maintain or restore normal jaw function and regular stimulation once teeth have been lost? The answer is to replace lost teeth with dental implants. Dental implants are a permanent way to replace lost teeth and restore the jaw to a healthy state. Once teeth have been replaced with natural-looking implants, the patient can chew, smile and speak normally again. But not all patients are ideal for dental implants, particularly those who have have been unable to chew normally for long periods. This is where bone grafting can help.
What Is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a supplemental surgical procedure where a doctor takes donated bone and attaches it to the part of the jawbone that needs more volume. The treatment is relatively simple and can usually be done in a simple out-patient procedure with minimal discomfort. In three to six months, the donated bone will sufficiently fuse with the existing jawbone to create a firm foundation for dental implants and the patient can then be re-evaluated for implant suitability.
Bone Grafting History
Most people know at least one person with multiple missing teeth and how this problem has given them a sunken facial appearance. Early bone grafting surgeries were created to fix this problem by rebuilding bone density and helping patients get back jaw function. These early efforts were primarily concentrated on letting patients effectively use dentures. The procedure usually utilized a patientâs own ribs so there was less chance of tissue rejection. Extensive and painful skin grafts were also used to support dentures and enable patients to talk and eat normally,
Do I Need Bone Grafting?
A complete examination and x-rays are necessary to see if your jawbone density is sufficient for dental implants. Likewise, only a trained professional will be able to determine if you need bone grafting. The examination is easy, painless and can be completed in a short period of time. Call us today to schedule a no-obligation dental implant consultation with Dr. Cooper.
Get A Brilliant & Healthy Smile With Contemporary Dental Arts
Dental implant success is largly dependant on the health and current state of each individual patient’s teeth, facial muscle and jawbone. If your jawbone is not adequately dense, you may need a supplemental procedure like bone grafting before you can get dental implants. During a brief examination, Dr. Cooper can determine if your jawbone and tissues are adequate for dental implants. We can’t wait to transform those unattractive gaps from your missing teeth into a healthy and functional smile. If you live in the San Jose, CA area, come see us for more information on how dental implants can help you! Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.