If you decide to go for dental implants and your dentist finds that you have lost bone mass because of losing your natural teeth, they may recommend a pretreatment called a dental bone graft. Bone grafting prepares your jawbone for getting implants. While the procedure may require the expertise of an oral surgeon, your general dentist in Torrance, CA, can usually do the initial assessment and treatment planning. In this post, we are discussing more about the dental bone grafting procedure.
Basic aspects at a glance
There are two major reasons for bone density loss – gum disease and loss of teeth. While bone grafting can be done in numerous ways, the procedure is the same. Your dentist will make an incision in the jaw and place the graft. There are different types of grafts. The first one is an autograft, where the material is harvested from your own body, such as the jaw or hip. The second type is called an allograft, where the grafting material is taken from a different patient. There are also xenografts, where the bone comes from another animal, such as a cow. The last one is an alloplast, which uses synthetic material.
Does getting a bone graft hurt?
If the grafting material doesn’t come from the patient’s body, the procedure is a relatively minor one and doesn’t involve any pain. You will be under sedation and won’t feel any pain. However, you may experience some discomfort as the anesthesia effects wear off, but your dentist will usually recommend over-the-counter pain medications to manage these issues. If you get an autograft, the recovery time can be longer, as the grafting material will come from your hip or jaw, and there are two sites that must heal.
How much does a bone graft cost?
The cost of bone grafting largely varies on several factors, such as the procedure complexities, the material used, and the surgery site. Autografts usually cost more than other grafting procedures. Insurance doesn’t cover the cost of bone grafts for most patients, but it all depends on your plan. Your insurer may cover a part of the procedure expenses, but the good news is many clinics in Torrance have payment options that offer decent flexibility. Make sure to ask in advance and insist on an estimate.
What is the procedure like?
The first step is to administer anesthesia. You may discuss sedation options with your dentist if you have dental anxiety. The dentist will first clean the site and make an incision in the gums to separate it from the bone to make space for the graft. The grafting material is then placed between the sections of the bone as required. Your dentist will secure the graft using an adhesive material or screws. The initial incision is then sealed with sutures.
Recover after bone grafting
You will be usually asked to apply ice packs to minimize swelling for the first couple of days. Also, you should eat soft and bland food for at least a week. You must also sleep with your head slightly elevated to prevent blood pooling at the surgery site. Avoid hot and hard foods for faster recovery, and make sure you don’t indulge in extreme physical activities. Pain and swelling are two of the common risks or side effects of bone grafting, and your dentist will suggest medications accordingly.
Final word
Getting a bone graft doesn’t have to be complex, and with a good dentist in Torrance doing the procedure, the risks are limited. If you still have any concerns or wish to learn more about the impending dental implant treatment, you can always ask questions.