Your teeth are anchored directly in your jawbone. This fact makes the health, structure, and shape of your jawbone critical if you want to obtain optimal oral health.
However, there are cases when your jawbone can suffer deterioration. This may be due to periodontal, or gum, disease, or it may simply be due to genetic predispositions. Regardless of why your jawbone is facing problems,you can fix them with a bone graft.
A bone graft restores structure so you can better address future dental work, such as dental implants. A bone graft might also help dentures to fit more securely over your gums.
The consultation appointment before treatment involves a thorough examination of the area, which might also include taking a series of X-rays or a CT scan. This will clearly determine how much bone structure is available and it will help make sure the surrounding teeth are healthy.
A bone graft procedure in Ashburn, Virginia, can often be performed on an outpatient basis and it usually requires dental sedation. You will need to have someone drive you to and from your appointment.
The bone material for the graft can be directly sampled from your own chin or, if you prefer, it can be taken from a surgical grade cadaver. The surgeon will then create an incision in your gums to expose the jawbone. The new replacement bone is set into place and the gums are sutured closed. In time, your body will naturally integrate the graft into your existing bone structure.
Your recovery time will vary depending on your age, overall health and quality of aftercare.
If you think your jaw is in need of bone grafting, or are concerned with your jaw health in general, Dr. Amit B. Patel wants to see you today. Call us and schedule a consultation appointment. This isn’t a problem you want to avoid fixing.