Dental Implants: Will I Need Bone Grafting?

If you’ve done your research on dental implants, you know they’ve earned a reputation as the next best thing to natural teeth when it comes to replacing a gap in your smile.

Dr. Brett P. Lent, who leads the team at First Impression Dental in Fresno, California, agrees that dental implants are an outstanding choice for many of his patients. Known throughout the community for his expertise in general and cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Lent greatly appreciates the cosmetic appeal, longevity, and numerous oral health benefits offered by implants.

Learn more about why these permanent replacements for missing teeth meet his exacting professional standards and why bone grafting is often part of the process.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

There are numerous benefits of dental implants compared to other solutions for missing teeth, not the least of which is their cosmetic appeal.

Notably, unlike traditional dentures or bridges, which rest on top of your gums, dental implants are surgically inserted into the jaw and act as a natural tooth root. That helps prevent embarrassing slippage and some of the speaking difficulties linked to dentures.

That characteristic also provides numerous oral health advantages, including:  

• Restoration of normal bite force
• Prevention of bone loss
• Support of gum health
• Reinforcement of surrounding teeth

Dental implants are also easy to care for, just brush and floss as normal and keep up with routine dental exams.

Why is bone grafting sometimes necessary for dental implants?

Natural tooth roots are firmly integrated into your jawbone. That helps provide the strength and stability your teeth require to remain in place and withstand the pressure exerted during chewing.

Because dental implants are fixed into your jaw, it mimics the action and provides the benefits of a natural tooth root. But implants require a solid foundation to remain securely in place.

Grafting helps stimulate new bone growth to replace that which is lost whenever teeth are extracted. Your treatment depends on the overall thickness and strength or density of your jawbone.

Note that your body essentially “reclaims” bone tissue that’s not being utilized via a complex process called bone remodeling and resorption. That means that the longer your tooth or teeth are missing, the more likely you will need bone grafting.

What should I expect with bone grafting?

There are several grafting techniques and materials available. Dr. Lent discusses your choices, expected outcomes, and healing time in detail before scheduling the procedure. 

Depending on your circumstance, grafting may be accomplished during tooth extraction or as part of the implantation process if you’re replacing traditional dentures with implants.

For more information about dental implants or any of the many other dental services we offer, schedule an evaluation at First Impression Dental today.