Bone Grafting

A tooth’s root stimulates the jaw bone through daily actions like eating and chewing. However, when a tooth has been lost, the jaw no longer receives consistent stimulation, resulting in bone loss. Other causes of bone loss may include gum disease, tumors, infection, and facial trauma injury.

When bone loss occurs, facial aesthetics can be affected, as well as essential oral functions such as chewing and speaking. If the bone loss is severe, some tooth replacement options (such as dental implants) may be difficult or even impossible to place. However, many patients who are experiencing bone loss can go on to receive dental implants after undergoing a bone grafting procedure. Bone grafting can also be performed as a part of other oral and maxillofacial surgery treatments, such as facial trauma care.

Types of Bone Grafting Procedures

During a bone grafting procedure, a solution of granulated bone or other healing agents is directly applied to the site where more bone is needed. Bone grafting material can be harvested from another part of your own body or sourced from a tissue bank. The type of bone grafting procedure you receive will depend on your treatment plan. Types of bone grafting procedures may include

• Sinus lifts. Patients who require a dental implant in the upper jaw but need added thickness to the bone between the maxillary sinus and upper jaw may benefit from a sinus lift procedure.
• Socket preservation. A bone graft may need to be placed immediately after the extraction of a tooth to prevent bone loss or prepare the socket to receive a dental implant.
• Ridge expansion. More height or width may need to be added to the alveolar ridge, a bony ridge that surrounds the teeth.
• Major bone grafting. This type of procedure is generally performed on a patient who is experiencing extensive bone loss from facial trauma, gum disease, tumor, or birth defect.
• Nerve repositioning. Sometimes, a dental implant may need to be placed near the nerve that provides sensation to the lower lip and chin. To avoid damage to the nerve, it may need to be repositioned before a dental implant can be placed.

Bone Grafting in Danbury, CT, and New Milford, CT

Greater Connecticut Oral & Dental Implant Surgery offers a wide scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery treatments, including many types of bone grafting procedures. Dr. Kurtz and Dr. Lee are experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons who can provide you with a treatment plan to restore your oral health and feel more confident in your smile. If you need a bone grafting procedure, are interested in dental implants, or would like to learn more about other tooth replacement options, we encourage you to give our practice a call.