Dental Implants
Missing teeth aren’t just aesthetically unpleasing, they can inhibit proper function. And, with the latest dental technology, including dental implants, smile restoration is convenient and natural-looking.
Bone Grafting
We know that it is important to get the best smile of your life. Before you can begin the dental implant process, you may need to get a bone grafting procedure. This surgical procedure helps restore an unhealthy jawbone—a vital component to anchor your dental implants.
Jawbone Health
Did you know that your jawbone can be severely impacted by missing teeth? This is because teeth are the support and foundation to keep your jawbone healthy and pristine. When you have a missing tooth, your jawbone will begin to shrink and recede. Therefore, you will likely notice premature aging setting in on your mouth and face as a result.
Types of Bone Grafts
There are many types of bone grafts depending on the nature of your condition:
• Autograft
-patient harvested from a different part of the patient’s body
-comprises living bone
-able to regenerate on its own
• Allograft
-bone taken from a cadaver
-bone can’t re-generate on its own
-requires two procedures to collect the bone and the second to fill the jawbone
• Xenograft
-uses bone from a cow
-unable to regenerate on its own
Treatment
Once we’ve decided which bone graft is right for you, we will provide you with local anesthesia. Your specialist will make a minimal incision into your jaw and fill the affected area with the harvested bone.
Your graft will be pinned into place and stitched and bandaged. Always heed the advice of your dental care professional for maximum recovery.
Types of Implants
There are two types of implants to better suit your condition:
• Subperiosteal
-implant is anchored on your jawbone
-the implant head itself is visible
• Endosteal
-implant is anchored in your jawbone
-most common type
Recovery Period
It is very important to us that you follow-up at our office and take care at home as well. The success of your newly anchored implants should abide by these recommended guidelines:
Day One
We recommend putting gauze in your mouth and biting down on them. This will aid in any bleeding that you may have right after getting implants. Always take care of your oral hygiene with your implant by brushing your teeth. An added bonus is to rinse your mouth with saltwater to thwart bleeding of the mouth.
Day Two and Three
At this point, you may experience periods of swelling. Still, you should rinse your mouth with saltwater to prevent bacteria build up at least twice a day. We recommend applying ointment to your lips in order to avoid dry lips. By day three, you will notice a significant improvement. Make sure that you follow-up so we can check on your progress!
