Bone Graft
Burbank, CA
Bone Graft provided by Lawrence Toomin, DDS
and Mark Bieber, DDS
in Burbank, CA at Toomin & Bieber Aesthetic Comprehensive Dentistry
 Bone grafting is a surgical procedure done to add missing bone material to a site of injury or infection.
It's often done to restore part of the jawbone in order to support dental implants.
At Toomin & Bieber Aesthetic Comprehensive Dentistry, we recommend bone grafts if an infected tooth loses strength or causes problems for the rest of the teeth. When you visit our Burbank, CA office, we will evaluate the health of your jaw and determine the best course of action for you.
How is Dental Bone Grafting Performed?
Generally, surgeons perform dental bone grafting following a fixed set of steps. While true, your surgeon may perform additional procedures during the surgery depending on the condition of your jawbone.
The dental surgeon may apply anesthesia on the affected gum before starting the process.
After monitoring your vitals, the dentist may clean the affected area thoroughly to ensure disinfection.
Once disinfected, the surgeon will make an incision in the gum to access the jawbone.
After locating the grafting area, the surgeon may place the bone or synthetic material in the jawbone. The surgeon may apply dissolvable adhesives with specialized screws to ensure proper healing.
You may have to visit your doctor after a few days to examine the grafted area. Since a bone graft is a surgical procedure, you may receive a prescription for medicine from the surgeon to avoid infection and pain.
Bone Grafts and Dental Implants
Bone grafts play a crucial role in dental implant procedures. More often, patients like to restore their lost tooth with an implant. Since dental implants require a solid jawbone, dental surgeons evaluate the bone condition before initiating the implant procedure.
If the jawbone becomes weak, Lawrence Toomin, DDS and Mark Bieber, DDS might opt for bone grafting to add support to the teeth.
Read More About Dental Implant Placement
Read More About Bone Healing and Dental Implants
What Are the Different Types of Dental Bone Grafts?
There are a few types of dental bone grafts. Your surgeon may opt for one of the four methods to perform bone grafting on your jawbone: autografts, allografts, xenografts, and alloplasts.
Autografts
Suppose you lose a significant part of your jawbone due to bacterial infection or other gum diseases. In that case, an autograft may be the appropriate type of bone grafting to restore your lost bone. This technique focuses on taking a part of your bone from another body part such as the hip or jaw.
Allografts
An allograft is a relatively less common bone grafting technique. Surgeons opt for this method when no suitable alternative is available to restore your lost jawbone. Allografts focus on taking a part of the bone from another person. Dentists typically take bones from cadavers to carry out the procedure.
Xenografts
Complicated conditions may lead to you having to opt for xenografts. This type of dental bone grafting requires taking a bone from different species, such as animals like cows and pigs. Dental surgeons typically have access to preserved bones that they can use to add bone beneath the gums.
Alloplasts
Dental surgeons often choose alloplasts over other techniques to restore the lost bone. This method uses synthetic materials to compensate for a bone structure without harming the gums. Popular materials include calcium phosphate and calcium sodium phosphosilicate.
Is Dental Bone Grafting Painful?
Dental surgical procedures may be painful in the post-surgery phase. However, painkillers can help you cope with the pain during this short period. At Toomin & Bieber Aesthetic Comprehensive Dentistry, your comfort is top priority, and we communicate with you about your pain level throughout any dental procedure.
Applying anesthesia makes it seamless to have the bone grafting done on your jawbone. You may not feel any pain during the process. While this may be true, you may have to follow your medication routine to avoid pain after surgery strictly.
If you choose to have an autograft, the process can be painful. Surgeons, in such cases, take a part of a bone from your hip or jaw to perform grafting. The healing occurs in two different body sections, making it more painful than other bone grafting types. Again, you may be prescribed pain relievers to keep you comfortable.
Preparing for a Bone Graft
If you have a dental bone graft session due in the next few days, you may have to take a few steps to prepare for the surgery. Lawrence Toomin, DDS and Mark Bieber, DDS recommend following a few important instructions before arriving for the surgery.
First, you may avoid eating or drinking approximately eight to 12 hours before the procedure to avoid the adverse effects of anesthesia. You may also consult your doctor about blood thinning medication (if you take any) beforehand. Such medicines may cause excessive bleeding during the surgery.
If you have an underlying illness, you may share it with your doctor before scheduling the surgery. Some medicines adversely affect the patient's health, making them unsuitable for surgical procedures. Lastly, you may bring someone along to drive you back home after the surgery.
Schedule a Consultation with Your Dentist in Burbank, CA Today!
Dental bone grafting may seem like an overwhelming procedure. However, at Toomin & Bieber Aesthetic Comprehensive Dentistry, we will carefully evaluate the health of your jaw and design a treatment plan that's right for you. Contact us today at (818) 748-9998. |
