Why Is A Bone Graft Often Required Prior to Dental Implant Placement?

If you’ve been enquiring about dental implants in Basildon then you might have been told that you could need a bone graft prior to dental implants placement. While this sounds a little scary, in truth, it’s a fairly common and minimally invasive procedure which has predictable results.

dental implants in BasildonDental implants are becoming an ever popular solution to missing tooth replacement and are often chosen over partial dentures and dental bridges. However, the placement of dental implants is crucial to their success and careful evaluation and assessment needs to be paid to the bone in which they are to be placed.

Why is bone such an important consideration?

A dental implant consists of a titanium post which is placed into the jawbone and topped with a crown. Once the implant has been placed the objective is for the metal post to fuse with the surrounding bone in a process known as osseointegration, and this stabilises the implant, making it strong enough to support a prosthetic crown, denture or bridge. It’s very important, therefore, that an implant is placed into healthy bone which has sufficient height, depth, and width to accommodate the post.

How much bone is needed?

Generally a minimum of 1mm of bone is needed around a single dental implant and up to 3mm if the implant is next to another tooth or implant. In cases where there isn’t enough bone to completely cover the implant post, then the implant dentist in Basildon may recommend a bone graft.

Types of bone graft

A bone graft involves grafting bone or bone-like material onto the implant site in an effort to boost the volume of bone. It’s considered that the patient’s own bone is the best option but often bovine bone or synthetic bone material is used. The procedure usually needs to take place and be fully healed before dental implants can be placed. The healing period varies according to the individual and the type of bone used.

It’s all in the timing

Sometimes a surgeon may place a bone graft at the same time as an implant, depending on the person’s situation, which is more convenient but not always possible. If the bone graft is placed before the implant then it’s imperative that the timelines set out for the treatment are followed. If the implant is placed before the bone graft has had time to heal and become solid then the implant may loosen and fall out. If there’s a long delay after the bone graft has been carried out, then the resorption process will have started and the volume of bone may have decreased, making it impossible to place the implant. In other words, it’s necessary to time implant placement to perfection so that there has been sufficient healing but minimal resorption.

As you can see dental implants in Basildon require a knowledgeable and highly skilled implant dentist, so make sure you do your research carefully. At your consultation ask how many implants the dentist has placed and the success rate. Ask if you can speak to patients that he has treated to get their feedback. Most clinics offer free dental implant consultations so take advantage of these in order to make an informed dental decision. Why not call Felmores Dental Care today on 01268 726789 to book a consultation and get your questions and concerns answered. Alternatively, you can book online at www.felmoresdentalcare.co.uk.

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