Find out what’s involved in getting a dental bone graft.

Whether you are dealing with bone loss due to advanced gum disease or you are interested in getting a dental implant, there are a few reasons why our Lawrenceville, NJ, periodontists Dr. John Lu, Dr. Raul Figueroa and Dr. Kevin Murawski may recommend bone grafting. Bone loss as a result of tooth loss or gum disease can have an impact on the shape of your face, as well as the success rate of dental implants.

Here’s what bone grafting involves,

• Our Lawrenceville, NJ, periodontists will remove bone from another part of the body or other area of the jaw
• The bone is then grafted to the surgical site where new bone cells will help the area to heal
• If you are planning to get a dental implant, we will need to wait several months in order for the bone grafting to be fully successful before placing the implant
• The entire procedure usually takes no more than 1.5-2 hours and is performed right here in our office

Why do I need bone grafting?

One of the main reasons someone needs bone grafting is that they have lost one or more teeth and, as a result, the jawbone has lost a significant amount of density. When you have significant tooth loss or advanced gum disease this can have a serious impact on the strength and shape of the jawbone.

If left untreated the jawbone will shrink enough to alter the shape of the face, leading to sagging skin and premature lines and wrinkles. By getting a bone graft, we can restore the shape of the jawbone and improve the shape of the face. We can also increase the success rate and longevity of dental implants.

What do I do to prepare for my bone grafting procedure?

Our dental team will go through what to expect from the procedure as well as discuss sedation and anesthesia options with you. If you have any questions for us before undergoing bone grafting, please bring these questions with you to your evaluation. After your surgery, we will also provide you with after-surgery care instructions.

If you are dealing with significant bone loss, this doesn’t mean that you can’t still be a great candidate for implants. Our Lawrenceville, NJ, periodontal team would be happy to determine if bone grafting is right for you. Call Lawrenceville Dental Implant Center And Periodontics at (609) 896-0700 to schedule a consultation.