At Guildford Heights Dental Centre in Surrey our dentists offers dental implants to help restore the appearance and function of our patient's smiles. But, if you've experienced significant bone deterioration due to missing teeth or oral health issues, you may require a bone graft before implants can be placed. Our dentists explains more...
Dental Implants
Dental implants from Guildford Heights Dental Centre can be an ideal way for many people to replace missing teeth and restore the function and appearance of their smile. Some of the benefits of dental implants as a tooth replacement option include helping to maintain facial structure, and preventing remaining teeth from becoming loose and shifting out of position.
However, it's important to note that getting dental implants is not always as straight forward as you may expect. For those patients who have suffered significant bone deterioration or bone loss, a bone graft may be necessary before the implant process can begin.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a procedure which involves a dental surgeon 'grafting' material taken from another part of your body (or a synthetic bone material) onto the area of your jaw where the implants will be placed. Once the bone graft has had time to heal, it strengthens the existing jawbone, helping to create a stable base for dental implants.
If you're considering replacing your missing teeth with dental implants, but your jaw bone isn't strong enough to support to the implants, you will require a bone graft.
Who Needs a Bone Graft & Why
Factors that determine whether you will need a bone graft include, the overall condition of your jaw bone and the number of dental implants you want to have.
If you're interested in dental implants to replace your missing teeth, visit your dentist at Guildford Heights Dental Centre for a consultation, and to discuss whether you are a good candidate for dental implants, and whether you will need a bone graft.
Types of Bone Grafting for Dental Implants
Depending on the overall condition of your jaw, your dentist may recommend one of two different types of bone grafting procedures.
- Minor Bone Graft - Patients with less severe bone deterioration may be able to have a minor bone graft. Minor bone grafting can be performed at the same time as the implant is being placed.
- Significant Bone Graft - More severe bone deterioration will require significant bone grafting. This type of bone graft may take up to nine months to heal before the dental implant process can get started.
Dental Implants & Other Tooth Replacement Options
Dental implants may not be the fastest, easiest or best tooth replacement option for you if you have experienced significant bone deterioration, or injury to your jaw. Nonetheless there are a range of other natural looking tooth replacement options that could help you to restore your smile including full or partial dentures and bridges.