BluSky Dental Richardson
Bone volume can change after a tooth is lost or supporting tissues are damaged. If there is not enough bone in the right place for a planned treatment, a graft may help rebuild the area. Whether you need one depends on the site and the result you are trying to achieve.
A bone graft places material in an area where the clinician wants to support bone healing or rebuild a defect. The technique varies with the size and shape of the site. Some procedures are associated with an extraction; others are a separate stage before implant treatment.
Grafting is not an automatic requirement for every missing tooth. Your examination and any necessary imaging help determine whether treatment can proceed with the bone already present, whether grafting offers a useful benefit or whether another replacement would suit you better.
Socket preservation aims to limit changes in the extraction area while it heals. It may be considered when a future replacement depends on the shape of the ridge. It cannot guarantee that no further grafting will be needed later.
A ridge may be too narrow or too low for the proposed implant position. Augmentation addresses the identified area rather than making the whole jaw stronger. The extent of the defect affects the operation and the healing plan.
The sinus can limit the height available for implants in the upper jaw. A sinus lift is a specific procedure with its own assessment, risks and aftercare. It should not be treated as interchangeable with every other bone graft.
Selected periodontal defects may be treated with regenerative surgery. The pattern of damage and control of gum disease matter. The purpose here is supporting a tooth, which differs from preparing a toothless site for an implant.
Options can include your own bone, processed human donor material, animal-derived material or synthetic substitutes. They have different properties and may be used in combination. A membrane may also be used to help manage the healing space.
Ask which material is proposed and why. Tell the clinician about allergies, health conditions and personal or religious preferences that affect your choices. If collecting your own bone is proposed, ask about the additional site and its recovery.
There is no single material that is best for every defect. The discussion should connect the material and technique to the job they need to do in your treatment.
The plan starts with examination, review of your medicines and an explanation of alternatives. The procedure is arranged with suitable pain control; any sedation has a separate assessment and preparation process.
Healing then takes time. The clinician reviews the tissue and decides when the area is ready for the next stage. Some grafts can be performed at implant placement, while others must heal first. Your timetable should account for these decisions and the possibility that healing takes longer than expected.
If you will have a temporary replacement, ask whether it needs adjustment to avoid pressure on the graft. Also clarify who to contact between appointments and how follow-up is organized.
Swelling, tenderness and changes to eating may occur. Follow the specific instructions provided for your procedure, including cleaning, activity and any medicines. Do not stop prescribed medication or begin antibiotics on your own.
Risks can include infection, wound opening, inadequate bone formation and the need for additional treatment. Other risks depend on the location and technique. Promptly report symptoms that are worsening or differ from the recovery instructions.
Ask what the graft is intended to make possible, what could happen without it and whether a bridge or removable replacement changes the need for surgery. Request an estimate that separates the graft from later implant and restoration costs.
Explore dental implants to see how grafting can fit within a replacement plan. Book a Visit at Richardson to discuss your own site and treatment sequence.
Tell us what you would like help with and ask about your next visit.
Call: (613) 829-5921
Address: 510 Richardson Ave, Ottawa, ON K2B 5H1
