Implants provide a host of benefits for qualified patients, chief among them being unmatched stability when compared to removable or bonded prosthetics. But not every patient is a suitable candidate for teeth replacement with implants.
If you need pretreatment to create the right foundation for implant surgery, a bone graft may be part of your care plan. While this step is common, it can leave patients with a few questions.
Why is Bone Grafting Recommended?
Implants gain their stability by integrating with surrounding bone so they can act like your own true tooth roots. For this to occur, however, there has to be a sufficient amount of tissue. When areas of bone around a missing tooth are depleted, placing the implant becomes harder and the likelihood of treatment success decreases.
To promote best results, patients who have had missing teeth for many years are recommended a bone graft. This produces the kind of bone volume that implants need to attach themselves securely.
Can I Opt to Not Have a Bone Graft?
In some cases, the answer is yes, but this changes based on the site of the missing tooth and number of teeth that need to be replaced. If you are missing a frontal tooth, a mini dental implant can be provided. These prosthetics are smaller in diameter and require less volume to properly attach to tissue. Mini implants are not typically recommended for back teeth, however, as the consistent pressure of chewing on a smaller post can create risk for future implant problems.
If you have a whole arch of missing teeth, you can opt for a specialized hybrid denture. With this approach to teeth replacement, angled implants are supplied to target dense areas of bone and create the appropriate anchor for a full-arch bridge. In many cases, these patients do not need to complete a bone grafting procedure first.
Do You Need a Bone Graft for Implant Treatment? Ask Dr. Narodovich
Dr. Narodovich provides all parts of the implant treatment process at his office, including tissue grafting. If you have questions about what your treatment will include, or to determine whether a bone graft is necessary to benefit your oral health, contact Sacramento Dental Medicine for a consultation.