I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
One thing you have probably heard about dental implants is that they are placed in a person's jawbone, and this is true. Because they are placed in the jawbone, they are almost equivalent to natural teeth in the way they work and function, but a person must have enough jawbone to use in order for this to work out. If a person does not have enough jawbone, the dentist will recommend a bone-grafting procedure, and here are a few things to know about this.
How dentists determine when bone grafting is needed
The reason dental implants work so well is because of the way they are securely attached to the jawbone in a person's mouth. The fusion that occurs with the bone and the implant creates a strength that is equal to the way roots hold a tooth in place, and this is why a dentist must make sure a person's jawbone is dense enough.
To find this out, the dentist would have to take x-rays of the person's jaw to see the density and thickness of the jawbone. Additionally, a dentist will ask a lot of questions about the patient's health and habits. If the person has a disorder that affects his or her immune system, or if the person is a smoker, there is a chance that the person will not qualify for an implant. There is also a chance the person could still qualify but will have to undergo a bone-grafting procedure first.
How bone grafting is completed
Bone grafting is a procedure that involves adding bone to the existing bone and allowing the two bones to fuse together to create a jawbone that is thicker and denser. It typically takes at least six to eight months after the bone grafting for the fusion to fully occur, but a dentist will check through x-rays periodically to see how the process is going.
Why bone grafting is necessary
Bone grafting is something that is necessary for one main reason, which is to buildup the bone so that it is capable of fully supporting an artificial tooth. Without bone grafting, an implant is more likely to fail if it is placed in a jawbone that is too thin, and dentists like to avoid putting implants in when there is not enough bone.
If you would like to replace a tooth that is missing from your mouth, you could do so with an implant. To find out if you will need a bone-grafting procedure, talk to a dentist, like those at Gallery Dental, today.
Share3 December 2018
