Bone Grafts and Dental Implants – Understanding Why
For those patients who have lost teeth dental implants in Plymouth are one of the best ways to find a long-term solution. They are a really stand out tooth replacement system that are fantastic for giving people back their pre tooth loss lifestyles. But these fantastic bits of technology are one of the more complex surgeries within the dental world and in some cases could require a bone graft. Though this might sound super daunting to begin with it’s actually more straightforward than you think. Let’s take a little look at dental implants in Plymouth and bone grafts.
the Makeup of Dental Implants in Plymouth
Dental Implants work by placing a new tooth root or anchor into the jaw bone, this anchor then has a false tooth or crown screwed onto it to act as a new fully functioning tooth.
The reason a bone graft might be required is that there has to be enough bone density in the jaw already to hold the anchor in place, otherwise the fixture will just come loose and not work.
What Is A Bone Graft Exactly?
Good question – a bone graft is a surgical procedure carried out by your dentist where they take a bit of bone from somewhere else in your body and then place this bone into the area where it’s needed. For some people the bone used could be taken from another source but this is becoming increasingly rare.
After you’ve completed a bone graft you will wait for several months to allow the area to completely heal before we can move on to the next stage of the dental implants. In the event of a very small graft there is the possibility of fitting the anchor at the same time, but that would be discussed with you individually.
Is It Really Worth It?
Another good question – we at Smile Care Cosmetic Centre believe it is yes. Though the process of dental implants can understandably feel overwhelming in the beginning they are the only system available that helps to stimulate the bones natural regeneration system and if correctly looked after has the capabilities to last you a lifetime.
Long Term Care
It’s really important that patients understand that dental implants and the process needed to get them is only worth it if you are ready to commit to long-term care. Often people lose bone density and require a bone graft because they have previously neglected their oral health and suffered the consequences. Bone loss is usually caused by decay or gum disease, both of which are in most cases caused by the build up and neglect of plaque and tartar. If you want to keep your bone healthy and your implants firmly in place you must commit to complete oral hygiene every day otherwise you could end up losing your implants too.
If you would like more information on implants and the process to getting them fitted please do contact the team directly either through email or telephone and we’ll happily answer any questions you have.
