Make No Bones About It

The bones of your jaw hold your teeth in place and give your face structure. Unfortunately, the bone is susceptible to erosion that is caused by periodontal disease, infections, and missing teeth. Trauma to your teeth or jaw may also put the bone at risk. Bone grafting is a safe and effective method for augmenting the natural bone in your upper and lower jaw. As an experienced oral surgeon, Dr. Sultan uses bone grafting in a variety of circumstances to improve patient outcomes.

The Basics of Bone Grafting

The goal of bone grafting is to restore the anatomy of the jaw for cosmetic or functional purposes, such as to provide support for a dental implant. Two techniques are used for the procedure. If possible, Dr. Sultan harvests a bit of bone from another area of the mouth. This reduces the likelihood of rejection, and some patients prefer to use their bone versus that of another source. Larger repairs may require grafts from the hip bone or knee cap. In some instances, using artificial bone is the best option. It may be used alone or combined with the harvested bone. The graft is placed in the treatment area and allowed to heal and fuse with the jaw bone. This can take several months.

Types of Bone Grafting

Your oral surgery may require one or more types of bone grafting procedures to achieve the desired results. The procedures may be performed at one time or over the course of several appointments.

• Sinus lift surgery is recommended for patients who have a significant amount of bone loss that results in the sinus cavity being too close to the area where a dental implant is to be placed. This ensures that the implant can be properly anchored without interfering with sinus function.
• Repositioning of nerves may is necessary for dental implants. Using bone grafts in the lower jaw protects the nerves while providing room for the implant. This technique is typically recommended in cases where augmenting the ridge is not adequate.
• Ridge augmentation improves the width or height of the bone in which the implant is to be placed. The ridge is the area just above the teeth.

Do You Need Bone Grafting for Your Implants? Contact Sultan Center for Oral Facial Surgery.

If your dentist has recommended bone grafting for your dental implants, contact Sultan Center for Oral Facial Surgery to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sultan. He also performs jaw reconstruction, surgery for facial injuries, procedures for cysts and tumors and other oral surgeries. You can contact our Fort Lauderdale office directly at (954) 771-8772.