When your teeth need a particular dental restoration treatment such as an implant or a bridge, there needs to be a certain amount of bone required for this to be successful. In cases where that amount of bone simply does not exist, your dentist will discuss with you the possibility of a bone graft procedure, which will help the restoration treatment to be successful. Although there are many reasons why a person may not have sufficient bone – gum disease, a previous tooth extraction, a sports injury, an infection – there is only one treatment option, and that is a bone graft. This is often a very successful treatment, and it will naturally lead to the success of the primary treatment plan. So what are the side effects of a successful bone graft?
Firstly, you will experience greater jaw stabilization. This means that your jaw will be stronger, and better supported in the areas where it was previously weak, helping you to do basic things like chew meat and bite down on an apple much easier. Secondly, you will experience greater preservation. With more bone in the jaw you are much less likely to lose teeth in the future, and it will help to keep the teeth that are healthy in place.
Your dentist will examine you to see whether you are a good fit for receiving a bone graft, and any nearby problems such as infection or gum disease will need to be treated and healed before you take the bone graft any further. Once the bone graft treatment is over, you will be given special medicine that you will need to take to reduce the swelling and discomfort, and it will also fight infection too. Before you know it, you can have your dental restoration treatment and leave your dentist with a perfectly healthy and beautiful looking set of teeth.
