Some people desire to have dental implants placed, but do not have enough bone mass in their jaws. Jaw bone mass may deteriorate after tooth removal, leaving not enough bone to create a sturdy anchor for an implant. Having a dental implant keeps the jaw’s bone mass from degrading. However, if you’ve lost bone in your jaw before having the dental implant placed, you can rebuild the bone in the jaw through bone grafting.

What is Bone Grafting?

During a consultation with Drs. Cynthia Chen and Chris Ching, a thorough evaluation will be done regarding the health of your mouth and jaw. They use the latest technology in 3D digital pictures to get a clear idea of the condition of your jaw and mouth. Then, you and the doctor develop a plan to increase the strength and bone mass in your jaw to enable you to have dental implants placed. When it’s time for the bone grafting process, a small incision gets made in your jaw, and donor bone tissue inserted onto your jawbone

Why is a Bone Graft necessary?

When teeth get removed or fall out, the jaw bone begins to atrophy. The bones in the area shrink, giving you a toothless look. Periodontal disease also can compromise the size and health of the jawbone. The placement of dental implants keeps the jaw’s bone density from atrophying.

When will the dental implants be placed?

The bone graft procedure is complete, and healing takes place between 2 to 6 months after the graft. At that point, your jawbone is ready to receive the dental implant. The grafting and dental implant process do take time, but are well worth the effort involved since the results can be so beneficial to your oral health and functioning.

For more information about dental implants and bone graft procedures, please schedule a consultation with our office today. Drs. Cynthia Chen and Chris Ching and their friendly staff can quickly get you on your way to a healthy jaw and beautiful teeth.