Bone Graft
Implants
THE FIRST STEP IN REBUILDING YOUR SMILE
Your teeth do more than just chew and bite. They actually keep your jawbone “in shape” by providing regular stimulation. Without that stimulation, the alveolar bone (the part of the jaw that anchors teeth) dissolves as the body reallocates minerals elsewhere. This process happens relatively fast when you lose a permanent tooth, a common cause of jawbone loss. Other causes include periodontal disease, dentures, trauma, tumors, and more.
Bone grafting is the process of rebuilding bone where deterioration has occurred. Through the implantation of donor’s bone into the jaw, Dr. Richard Lam encourages the body to grow new bone on its own. This procedure is typically done to prepare the jaw for a dental implant, but can be performed for other structural needs as well.
Bone grafting is the process of rebuilding bone where deterioration has occurred. Through the implantation of donor’s bone into the jaw, Dr. Richard Lam encourages the body to grow new bone on its own. This procedure is typically done to prepare the jaw for a dental implant, but can be performed for other structural needs as well.
what to expect
Before receiving a bone graft, we start with a consultation. We examine your mouth and take digital images of your mouth. These images allow us to see the exact condition of your jaw, and allow us to create an effective treatment plan.
Surgery starts with a local anesthetic. If necessary, a sedative can also be given to help you relax. We then make incisions in your gums, which provides us with access to your jawbone. If we are using your bone tissue, other incisions are made at the “donor” site. The bone tissue is taken from the donor site and placed in the areas of weakness in your jaw. The surgical sites are then stitched closed, and you are sent home to begin the healing process.