Why You May Need a Bone Graft before Dental Implant Surgery

Dental implants provide an ideal solution to missing teeth. With implants, patients get new teeth that behave and look like natural teeth, from roots to crown. However, in order for implants to be strong and improve your oral health, some pre-treatments may be necessary. It’s not uncommon for patients to require a bone graft before implants can be placed. Here’s why:

Prolonged Lack of Natural Teeth

When you’re missing teeth for an extended period of time, jaw bone density in that area will begin to lessen. Your natural tooth roots simulate bone health, but when they’re gone, bone slowly grows weaker. Bone grafts help to build up quality bone in this area, so implants can be placed at the site of missing teeth and act as sturdy anchors for prosthetics like crowns, bridges and dentures.

Stronger Osseointegration

Implants are as strong as they are because bone is naturally compatible with titanium, the material from which implants posts are created. When implants are placed, the posts begin to bond and merge with bone, just like a real tooth. If you have poor bone quality, or thin bone density, there is less supporting tissue for implants to bond with. Bone grafts are sometimes necessary to ensure proper integration.

Longevity of Treatment Results

Implants placed accurately into dense bone, and which are allowed to integrate properly, prove to be long-lasting replacements for missing teeth. With a bone graft, implant dentistry can support life-long and high-functioning replacements for lost or extracted teeth.

Only a dentist can determine if a bone graft is necessary before you can receive dental implants. At our Torrance dental office, Dr. Okamoto performs comprehensive exams to ensure that your smile is healthy enough for dental implants. If a bone graft is necessary, we have an on-site surgical suite and can perform your pre-implant bone graft in our office. Contact Dr. Steven Okamoto for more information about how bone grafting benefits successful implant treatment.