Regain your strong jaw bone structure and return to normal oral function with bone grafting.
At Sean P. Avera, DDS, MS, we can use bone grafting and regeneration to restore your jaw after bone loss.
Whether your jaw no longer securely holds your natural teeth, or you need to build a stronger base for a restoration (like a dental implant), the team at our Auburn and Grass Valley, CA, periodontal office can use bone grafting and tissue regeneration to improve your jaw bone. These surgical procedures help to rebuild spots where bone loss has occurred and stimulate new bone growth.
What is Bone Grafting & Regeneration?
When we perform a bone graft, we surgically attach a piece of natural or artificial bone to a place where bone loss has left an empty space. This new piece of bone helps to rebuild or even grow your jaw bone, giving you back a functional and natural-looking jaw.
There are two different types of bone grafts, and we will determine what’s best for you during your consultation.
- Natural graft: This graft is made of natural bone material, often taken from the patient, giving you the best chance for your body to accept the graft.
- Synthetic graft: This graft is made of polymers or ceramics and can be made to match the needs of your body, meaning less risk of rejection.
With regeneration, we apply a thin membrane over the area where bone and/or gum loss has occurred. This membrane keeps out cells other than bone and gum tissue, meaning those are the only things that will be able to grow in the area. They also maintain space, so there is adequate room for enough bone and gum tissue to grow.
Candidacy for Bone Grafting & Regeneration
You may be a candidate for a bone graft or regeneration procedure if you have experienced:
- Tooth loss
- Trauma to the face causing bone loss
- Infection leading to bone loss
The Bone Grafting & Regeneration Process
To begin your bone graft and regeneration journey, we start with a consultation. This time allows us to evaluate your gums and jaw, determine the best procedure and materials for your needs, and walk you through the procedure and recovery processes.
On your appointment day, we will use an anesthetic to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. We use a small incision to expose the area, and then place the bone graft onto the existing bone. Any necessary shaping is performed during the procedure, and once the shaped graft is in place, we cover the graft with a membrane and close the area using sutures.
Recovering from a Bone Graft
It may take a few weeks for you to be feeling back to normal, and anywhere between three and nine months for your graft to harden and integrate completely with your jaw bone. We will bring you back in periodically to check on your healing process and determine a timeline for dental implant placement or any additional restoration procedures.
If you have concerns about your jaw bone, are experiencing bone loss, or have had an injury or surgery that required the removal of gum tissue or bone from your mouth, call our office. The team at Sean P. Avera, DDS, MS, can help you understand the bone graft process and determine if the procedure is right for you.