Dental implants are a highly effective solution for lost teeth. Crowns mimic natural teeth in their form and function and titanium posts bond with and stimulate your jaw bone, allowing the 
Dental implants are the perfect option to replace missing teeth, but your jaw needs to have enough bone density to hold these implants securely and comfortably. Fortunately, at Periodontal Associates, we offer several dental solutions, including bone regeneration therapy, which helps to stop bone loss and stimulate the growth of new bone structure. The bone regeneration treatment is especially important when you are considering undergoing dental implant placement.
The jawbone plays an important role in dental health, from providing strong support to the teeth to forming part of the mouth structure - and hence facial appearance. It is thus a cause for concern when your jawbone starts to deteriorate due to bone loss.
What Causes Bone Loss?
The loss of bone in the jaw can be due to some reasons. These include:
| • | Missing teeth. The jawbone needs constant stimulation to maintain its structure. The stimulation comes from the teeth when you are biting and chewing. Therefore, when you have a missing tooth, your jawbone suffers from insufficient stimulation and thus starts to deteriorate. |
| • | Advanced gum disease. The jawbone is made up of living cellular tissues, which are prone to bacterial infection. Therefore, the bacterial infection of gum disease can find its way to the jawbone, where it can cause considerable damage. |
| • | Dental trauma. A traumatic injury to the mouth can knock off the tooth, fracture it, or cause its position on the jaw to shift. All of these can result in an infection, which can easily spread to the jawbone, causing bone loss. |
| • | Oral infection. An oral infection (viral, bacterial, tumors, and others) can also spread to the jawbone, where it can cause damage and result in bone loss. |
The Bone Regeneration Treatment
Bone regeneration is an oral surgery procedure that is performed to stimulate the growth of new bone as part of successful dental implant restoration. The process uses several methods to regenerate healthy, new bone material on or around dental implants to improve their durability, strength, and stability. It involves placing bone grafting material where the new bone structure will form.
The procedure involves grafting additional bone material onto the jawbone, usually from another source, such as a tissue bank. This allows time to heal and integrate with the existing bones before moving forward with dental implant placement. Properly regenerating deficient bone tissue is crucial for successful and long-lasting dental implants.
The bone regeneration procedure is carried out under anesthesia and in a single session. An incision is created on the gum surrounding the area where the loss has occurred to offer access to the jawbone. In case there is an infection, the damaged bone is removed and the area thoroughly cleaned. The graft material is then placed and covered with a biocompatible material. After that, the surgery site is closed by stitching the gums together.
While it may require additional time and procedures, bone regeneration can significantly improve success rates for dental implants and restore confidence in one's smile.
When Is Bone Regeneration Necessary?
Bone regeneration is usually performed before a dental implant procedure, when there has been considerable damage to the bone, or when there is not sufficient bone to hold the implants. The procedure can, however, be performed for other reasons such as:
| • | Increase the support of the teeth. Bone loss, if left untreated, can reach critical levels that can result in multiple tooth loss. Bone regeneration can thus be performed to increase the support of your teeth. |
| • | To preserve bone structure and prevent dental problems. Bone regeneration can be used as a preventative treatment, for example, following extraction of the teeth. When used this way, it helps to preserve the jawbone structure by preventing bone loss. |
| • | To improve facial appearance. Loss of bone in the jaw can lead to an unsightly facial appearance. Regenerating the bone can help to restore proper mouth structure, thus improving the facial appearance. |
| • | During sinus lift surgery. Sinus lift involves increasing the jawbone structure by lifting the sinus to create more space. A bone grafting material is placed in the created space to allow for the growth of new bone. |
What Are the Benefits of Bone Regeneration for Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a popular and effective solution for replacing missing teeth, but the process can sometimes be hindered by insufficient bone density in the jaw. However, thanks to technological advancements, bone regeneration can often be used to improve the success of dental implant procedures.
Here are five benefits of incorporating bone regeneration into your implant treatment plan:
| • | It can help increase the stability and longevity of the implant. |
| • | It can help improve comfort and function for patients. |
| • | It can prevent further bone loss in the jaw. |
| • | It can improve aesthetics by providing a fuller, more natural-looking smile. |
| • | It can eliminate the need for additional procedures in the future. |
In short, incorporating bone regeneration into dental implant treatment can improve patient outcomes.
Are There Any Potential Risks of Bone Regeneration for Dental Implants?
As with any surgery, pain, swelling, and bleeding can occur during the healing process. In addition, infection at the surgical site is possible.
There is also a risk that the procedure may fail and additional surgeries may be necessary. However, selecting an experienced healthcare provider and carefully following post-operative instructions can generally minimize these risks.
While some potential risks may be associated with bone regeneration for dental implants, they can often be effectively managed when appropriate precautions are taken.
Damaged or insufficient jawbone structure can also result in you being disqualified for dental implant placement, in addition to causing several dental problems.
Schedule an Appointment with Us Today
When considering bone regeneration for dental implants, it's essential to first consult with a qualified oral surgeon or periodontist. Our experienced professionals are always ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the procedure.
At Periodontal Associates, we prioritize patient education and strive to create personalized treatment plans for each individual. We understand that the decision to undergo bone regeneration is significant, and we are dedicated to ensuring that our patients are fully informed before the treatment. For additional queries and appointments, please don't hesitate to contact us at (971) 317-8414.
