Bone Augmentation from an Implant Dentist

Patients should work with an Implant Dentist because they are an expert at implant dentistry and able to provide more comprehensive solutions.  Implants can transform a smile, install a tooth where there is none, and make a person look young again. 

The challenge is that not everyone qualifies for implants.  The patient needs to have enough healthy natural bone to support the implants.  When a dentist installs the implants a metal piece is inserted below the gum line and attached to the bone.  This serves in place of a natural root system and is necessary for securing the new tooth into place.  In order for the procedure to work a patient needs healthy bone to secure the implant to.

An expert Implant Dentist can perform a bone augmentation procedure to help rebuild bone and provide a strong foundation for the implants.  The following are bone augmentation procedures.

Sinus Lift or Sinus Augmentation

The sinus cavity is located directly above your teeth.  This empty chamber is separated from your teeth by a thin bone.  When people have missing back teeth, or are unhealthy, the bone can deteriorate, losing its strength and thickness.  A dentist cannot implant new teeth under these conditions and will often install a piece of bone below the sinus cavity.  It takes four to twelve months for the bone to develop.  After that time, an implant dentist can install new teeth without an issue. Most patients say the procedure causes minimal discomfort or disruption of their life.

Bone Grafts

In a bone graft, the dentist will take bone from another area of your body, or from a donor, and use it to build up your existing bone.  This new bone is added to the jaw line in order to strengthen it.  The new bone fuses to the old bone to create the strength needed to implant the new teeth.  This procedure can be more painful and is usually done while the patient is sedated or under anesthesia.  Patients are given pain medication to use after the procedure and within three months should be able to have their new teeth installed.  When natural bone is, unavailable a synthetic may be used.

Ridge Expansion

This dental procedure is used with the jaw isn’t wide enough to support implants.  A dentist can place a small piece of bone in a small ridge or space at the top of the jaw.  This procedure strengthens the jaw bone to make sure your new teeth will stay in place securely.  How fast you can have teeth implanted depends on each patient.  Some can have the procedure immediately while others require up to 12 months to heal.

Bone augmentation is a viable solution for patients that want to have dental implants, but don’t have the bone strength to support it.  It is critical that patients see an Implant Dentist, someone that is an expert at performing these procedures.  All types of bone augmentation require skill and experience and Dr. Pechak has it.