Bone Grafting After Tooth Extractions: Is it necessary?

What is Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting, a minor surgical procedure that is performed under local anesthesia in the dentist’s office, rebuilds bone where it has been lost. Grafting material can either be placed immediately after a tooth extraction or in areas that have been missing for a period of time. Your body will start growing new bone cells to replace the graft material.

Is Bone Grafting safe?

Grafting material that is come from your body does not pose any risk. This method has one drawback: it requires the creation of a second surgical site, the location from which the bone is extracted. Due to their careful safety screening, substitutes for mineral bones, whether from human or animal donor bone, are not at risk of spreading infectious diseases. They are both at similar risk due to the strict and extensive processing they go through at the highly respected tissue banks. This ensures that graft materials are incredibly safe. You may also be curious that mineral and bone graft materials don’t remain in the body. Instead, these materials are naturally absorbed by the body and replaced by your bone over time.

Is Bone Grafting Necessary After Tooth Extraction?

Whether the reason for your issues is tooth decay or trauma, tooth extraction can be the best option to preserve the oral health of a patient. But, tooth extraction could affect a person’s well-being in different ways. After tooth extraction, a bone graft is necessary since the bone may begin to melt. This can cause facial features to sag. Bone grafts can help restore structure and support.

Why Do You Need Bone Grafting?

It’s hard to tell by looking at your teeth; however, every tooth plays a vital role in protecting the health of your mouth. Under the surface of your teeth, the teeth roots are a source of essential stimulation for the jawbone supporting it and maintaining your bite position and the capacity to chew and speak.

If teeth are missing, the jaw is deprived of this vital stimulation. In combination with the inability to bite or chew properly, your jawbone may begin to weaken and shrink. This could lead to many other health problems which may require more intensive treatment. Bone grafting, or the procedure of grafting donor tissue around the affected region, can strengthen the tooth’s structural integrity and prepare your teeth for any future process, such as dental implants.

Dental Bone Grafting Procedure

There are certain aspects that all dental bone transplants are alike. However, it is essential to remember that each case is unique and that you should consult your dentist to find out precisely what will happen.

The bone grafting procedure is usually performed in an office of a dentist. The process involves numbing the area using a local anesthetic and cutting an incision that exposes the jawbone. Then the grafting material is added to the jawbone. Finally, the incision is closed with stitches. Can usually complete an easy bone grafting procedure in an hour.

There are risks and benefits to every dental procedure. There may be some discomfort following the process. There is a slight risk of infection and gum problems. It is possible that the bone transplant does not work as intended.

A bone graft procedure can help you regain your jawbone volume and move forward with therapeutic options, such as tooth implants. A bone graft can be a crucial first step in restoring your smile’s function and appearance.

Exploring Different Bone Grafting Techniques

Different scenarios of oral health require different bone grafting strategies. Because of the advances in dental surgery, patients can choose from numerous advanced bone grafting options customized to suit their specific requirements. Depending on the area where teeth are missing and the long-term treatment plan of each patient and needs, the oral surgeon could suggest one of the following most popular grafting options:

Socket Graft

It is generally recommended to do this if the tooth extracted is in place. Socket grafts slow the deterioration of jawbones by incorporating graft materials immediately in the space after the tooth is removed. This can help maintain bone stimulation while also assisting the bone’s fusion with the transplanted tissue.

Block Bone Graft

Sometimes, patients must be patient until the bone grafting procedure is completed. The interruption in stimulation could result in the bone tissue weakening, resulting in the need for more grafting material to repair the jaw. Block bone grafts are procedures where a tiny “block” made of bone tissue is removed from the patient’s lower jaw or chin and placed in the weak region. After a period of recovery, the bone tissue will accept the grafted tissue and bond to it, creating a sturdy and healthy base that can use for dental implants.

Sinus Lift Graft

Teeth missing from the upper jaw may cause a secondary impact on your overall health. When the bone tissue around it deteriorates as it ages, the bone that divides the mouth from the nose becomes less supple. Implant placement can be difficult without an augmentation graft for the sinus (sinus augment). When performing this procedure, a qualified oral surgeon will gently lift the sinus membrane, then place the bone material grafting in between the membrane of the sinus and the bone. After the grafted tissue has been bonded to the upper jawbone, the patient can proceed with additional restorative treatment.

How To Restore the Bone Ridge After Atrophy

Patients who have lost teeth for an extended period generally suffer bone loss. However, there is a solution for this issue, though the procedure is more complex than a socket preservation graft.

If the bone ridge is weakened because of atrophy, ridge enhancement is possible. This procedure can add width, height as well as volume. If there is a loss of bone in the posterior region in the lower jaw and the maxillary sinuses are affected, they could fall and take up the space previously occupied by the roots of the teeth.

To fix this problem, it is possible to have a sinus lift be carried out. After carefully lifting the nasal membrane enormous bone graft is placed beneath to stimulate tissue growth. Both of these procedures could significantly increase your chance of receiving dental implants.

Healing From Bone Graft and Tooth Extraction

Naturally, the healing process for everyone will differ in one way or the other. The overall process of healing can be a few weeks. However, breaking down the recovery process into two phases is a good idea. At first, you must restrict physical activity, alter your diet and consume the prescribed medications (which could include antibiotics and painkillers) as prescribed by your doctor.

Be aware that you might easily accidentally damage the place where the specialists put the bone graft, leading to some bone particles being removed. Please don’t be too concerned about this. However, when you detect it, take extra precautions to avoid further disturbing the area.

Follow these easy steps to take care of the area while it heals:

• Do not get your hands on the wound.
• Avoid spitting out your saliva or rinsing your mouth, especially in the first 24 hours of healing, to permit blood clots and the stabilization of the graft.
• Do not touch the area with your tongue.

7 ways to take care of yourself during the healing process

Patients who undergo the bone graft procedure following tooth extraction may need to speed up the healing process. It is impossible to accelerate the process. However, the following tips will keep your mouth healthy and prevent bleeding, swelling, or infection.

• Change your Diet: Your diet plays a significant role in the healing process following bone grafting. Your surgeon might advise you to limit your intake of warm drinks after surgery. Also, consuming soft and pureed food for the first few weeks is a great decision.
  Patients should avoid chewing hard foods or crunchy items for at least two weeks. This protects the surrounding gums and prevents bleeding. The extent of the procedure performed will often determine which recommendations the specialist makes.
• Avoid doing strenuous activities: Patients who have had bone grafting should not engage in strenuous activity until healed. As you feel better, you can gradually resume your normal activities.
• Applying Ice to the Surgical Area: After dental bone transplant surgery, you can reduce swelling by using ice. This reduces bleeding by decreasing the blood supply to the gum. This strategy is most effective if used within two days of the procedure.
• Use the prescribed antibiotics: Your dentist should suggest the right pain relievers and antibiotics after tooth extraction and bone transplant. These drugs are effective in reducing pain and preventing infections.
• Sleep on your back: After a bone graft, you will need to lie on your back. To prevent blood from settling at the bone graft location, your head must be elevated and supported by a pillow. This prevents inflammation. You can sleep on the side that did not treat if you’re uncomfortable with the position.
• Stop Smoking: The chances of a bone graft failure are increased if you smoke while recovering. It would help if you reduced or avoided smoking during your recovery.
• Keep your mouth clean with oral hygiene: Patients undergoing bone transplants for dental implants must be mindful of their oral hygiene. You should brush your tooth as gently as you can, especially around the surgery area. Removing food and debris from your teeth, gum, or tongue is essential. However, using an electric toothbrush can cause damage to your teeth and gums.