Have you been told you need dental bone grafting? This is a pretty common procedure, even though many people may not have heard of it. If you are coming in to talk to your dentist about the use of dental implants or other replacement teeth options, he or she may mention the use of grafting. What is it? Should you worry? The good news is that at Lovett Dental Baytown, we do everything we can to make the process as easy as possible.
What Is Dental Bone Grafting?
If you are thinking about dental implants, your dentist may discuss dental bone grafting with you. This is a procedure in which bone is taken from other areas to fill in the damaged or decayed bone in your jaw. It is often necessary when you do not have enough natural, healthy bone in this area to support the use of dental implants. There are many reasons this can occur, including:
- Trauma or injury to your face
- Advanced gum disease
- Missing teeth that create gaps in your smile
- Developmental defects
- Other types of diseases
In these situations, dentists need to move health bone from another area to the jaw. Over time, this bone will grow and encourage new growth of bone in the jaw. That makes it much stronger and healthier, allowing for the dental implant to be placed.
What Can You Expect from Recovery?
For dental bone grafting or other oral surgery, our team to provide you with a full list of what to expect, what steps to take, and how to ensure your best possible recovery. The good news is this does not have to be a painful or long healing process.
After the procedure is complete, you will likely have antibiotics to take. This works to ensure there is no infection development. You may receive pain medication as well, though most people will not need them. It will take some time for your graft to heal. The rate of healing depends on many factors and generally cannot be anticipated. Most often, it can take at least three months.
During this time, you will not notice much of anything happening. Your dentist will bring you back in for a checkup in the days following the procedure to ensure healing is occurring. You may have some swelling initially, but this can be reduced by using ice packs and giving it some time. You will be able to eat after the procedure, but soft foods will be the first step. Be sure to follow your dentist’s directions on how to take care of your dental implants in the coming weeks.
Most people will need to have some downtime after the procedure. You do not want to engage in strenuous activity for a few days to a week, depending on the recommendations of your dentist.
Want to Learn More About Dental Bone Grafting?
If you are ready to learn more about getting dental implants, reach out to our team to start the process. Our team is here for all of your needs, including these.
You can have the smile you want. The first step is to reach out to our team to schedule a consultation to see if you qualify for dental implants and whether or not bone grafting is necessary.
Call Lovett Dental Baytown
When it comes to procedures such as dental bone grafting, put your trust in our experienced, trusted team at Lovett Dental Baytown. Our professionals can discuss dental bone grafting with you during your consultation. To get started, call 281-838-8400 today for an appointment.
