Dental Bone Grafting in NYC

Bone What, Why & When?

Dental bone graft has many useful dental applications, especially when used in conjunction with dental implant placement and other periodontal procedures. However, many patients do not understand what this very common treatment entails. A bone graft may be needed to increase the amount of bone in a certain part of the jaw where bone has deteriorated or where additional support would benefit to preserve your jaw bone.

At 209 NYC Dental, we use bone grafting as part of your comprehensive, coordinated dental treatment plan to ensure your overall oral health.

What Is a Dental Bone Graft?

A dental bone graft is an oral surgery treatment used to rebuild jaw bone. It involves adding bone grafting material to areas where there are missing teeth, insufficient bone due to gum disease, facial injuries, cysts, or birth defects. Bone grafting works by encouraging your body to regenerate its own bone in a surgical site over time.

Because of bone’s strength and durability, many are surprised to learn it is a highly malleable material. Your body consistently makes new bone cells and evacuates old material. While these changes are normal and usually good, sometimes your jaw can lose too much bone material. If this happens, a bone graft procedure may be required.

In addition to its structural role, it also provides a foundation for your mouth’s soft tissues. Whether you experience bone density loss due to trauma, aging, losing one or multiple teeth, your gums can recede or shift. While that may seem like a minor issue, it can lead to significant functional and aesthetic problems. Fortunately, dental bone grafting in NYC restores volume and contour to the alveolar ridge and surrounding tissues.

Types of Bone Grafting Procedures

There are main types of bone grafting procedures patients may require. These treatments are typically performed by an oral surgeon or one of our experienced periodontists.

Socket Preservation

Socket Preservation is a bone grafting procedure where the empty tooth socket is filled with graft material right after extraction during the same appointment. Socket preservation helps preserve bone density, supports gum tissue and adjacent teeth, and maintains facial structure, ensuring better aesthetics and sufficient bone for dental implants. Without it, bone resorbs due to lack of stimulation, which can complicate future implant placement.

Ridge augmentation

Ridge augmentation is a oral surgery treatment aimed at restoring the natural contour and volume of the alveolar ridge, which is the bony ridge in the jaw that holds the teeth. It is required when the bony ridge has experienced significant bone loss due to missing teeth, periodontal disease, or facial trauma. It can be expressed as insufficient width or height of the ridge, or both, making it challenging to place dental implants securely.

During ridge expansion, material is placed along the deficient ridge to rebuild and reshape the jaw bone. Over time, the graft integrates with the existing bone, creating a stable foundation suitable for dental implants.

Sinus lift Procedure

Sinus lift or sinus augmentation is another type of bone grafting procedure needed for patients requiring implant placement in the upper jaw. It can be required due to following reasons: no adequate bone volume, not enough space between upper back molars and sinus cavity.

Sinus lift procedure involves gently lifting the sinus membrane upward and placing bone graft material into the space created beneath the sinus floor. Over time, this graft integrates with the existing bone, creating additional bone volume and density. This treatment helps restore facial bone and alveolar ridge structure and prepare patients for upper dental implants placement.

Patients who have experienced bone loss in the upper jaw bone due to missing upper molars, periodontal disease, or natural bone resorption over an extended period may require sinus lift surgery. Sinus lift is commonly performed by a periodontist, oral surgeon or oral maxillofacial surgeons using local anesthetic.

Who May Require Dental Bone Grafting in NYC?

Your dentist may recommend bone grafting procedure for several reasons:

• Dental Implants: Dental implants are a highly successful treatment used to restore missing teeth in adults. However, bone graft procedures like socket preservation, ridge augmentation, sinus lift may be needed to provide a strong support base for stable dental implant placement.
• Gum Disease Treatment & Jaw Stabilization: Losing an adult tooth or experiencing gum disease can result in bone loss. If left unaddressed, it can nearby teeth, jaw bone and gum tissue. Dental bone grafting in NYC might be necessary to regenerate bone around roots, strengthen the jaw, stabilize teeth and prevent bone loss, tooth loss and other long-term complications.
• Repairing Bone Defects: To fill in gaps or voids in bone caused by trauma, surgery (e.g., tumor removal), or congenital birth defects.

The Bone Grafting Procedure

Though bone graft procedure is can be performed on its own, it is commonly done in conjunction with other dental treatments, like tooth extraction, dental implants or periodontal surgery for gum disease.

Overall, these dental treatment can be a critical step for patients who have experienced bone loss and wish to receive dental implants, helping them to restore both missing teeth and facial structure.

1. Anesthesia: Patients can expect a virtually painless procedure. The area is numbed with local anesthesia, while sedation options can be used if needed.
2. Incision: Our periodontist or oral surgeon makes a small incision in the gums to access the bone.
3. Graft Placement: Often, bone grafts uses bone from your own body, usually from another area of the mouth. However, donor bone from a tissue bank or animal donors is also an excellent source of bone grafting material that will not require a second surgical incision to obtain it. The chosen bone graft material is placed in the area where grafting is needed.
4. Membrane (optional): A protective membrane may be placed over the graft to help with healing and prevent soft tissue from interfering with bone growth.
5. Closure: The gum tissue is stitched closed.

Healing and Recovery after Bone Grafting Procedure

The recovery process for bone grafting patients is expected to be complete within a matter of weeks. The healing process following these treatments generally takes several months (3-9 months) depending on type and area of the graft. During healing process the new bone graft material fuses with the remaining bone to form a strong, stable foundation. Once healed, patients can proceed with dental implant placement with confidence that there is adequate bone to support the implant and ensure its long-term success.

During your recovery, you may be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection. Most patients experience only mild discomfort, which is manageable with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication. You’ll also receive instructions about diet, exercise that you need to follow to promote healing and recovery.

Getting Bone Graft for Teeth in NYC

209 NYC Dental proudly serves patients from all five boroughs of New York City. We also have patients who frequently travel across the country or the world to receive dental treatment from our caring and experienced team.

We understand that surgical treatments can feel intimidating. That’s why we take special care to make each patient feel comfortable and educated. We’ll answer all your questions and help you review all available treatment options. If you are ready to transform your smile, please contact us today to schedule your consultation for dental bone grafting in NYC.

Whether you need to place dental implants or have experienced tooth loss or gum disease, the compassionate team at 209 NYC Dental will guide you through the bone grafting for teeth process. We have the expertise and knowledge to treat various oral health issues, ensuring complete, coordinated, multispecialty dental services under one roof.

If you are ready to transform your smile, please contact us today to schedule your consultation.