Bone Grafts Specialist

What is a bone graft?

A bone graft is an outpatient procedure that increases the amount of bone in your jaw. It involves your provider at Pacific Coast Periodontics taking animal bone or synthetic bone material and implanting it in an area of your jaw that’s weak or requires additional support.

Why would I need a bone graft?

Pacific Coast Periodontics uses bone grafts for several reasons, including:

To receive dental implants

Dental implants are metal posts placed beneath your gums. They fuse with your jaw, providing a foundation for dental restorations like crowns, a fixed bridge, or overdentures.

To receive implants, you need enough bone to support them. If you have a weak or diseased jaw, a bone graft can strengthen your bone tissue and lower the risk of potential complications.

To address gum disease

If chronic gum disease goes untreated, it may spread to your jaw and destroy the bone. Over time, that bone loss can affect the surrounding teeth and gum tissue, increasing the risk of more serious complications.

A bone graft can restore your jaw to its near-original condition and prevent the infection from doing more damage.

To address bone loss

If you lose bone due to chronic gum disease, an accident, or injury, it causes your face to look shorter than it used to. Without a healthy jaw, your lips and surrounding skin may wrinkle and sag.

By undergoing a bone graft, it’s possible to restore structure to your jaw, improving your aesthetic appearance.

What does a bone graft involve?

At the beginning of a bone graft, the team at Pacific Coast Periodontics administers a local anesthetic, numbing your mouth and jaw.

When the anesthesia sets in, your provider makes an incision over the area of weak or damaged bone and inserts a piece of real or synthetic bone material.

After implanting the bone material, they suture the incision and provide you with care instructions. Over the next several months, the graft encourages the production of new tissue, restoring your jaw to a healthy condition.

What is recovery like after a bone graft?

After a bone graft, it’s normal to experience swelling, mild discomfort, and increased oral sensitivity. For the first week, eat only soft foods and take any medication as prescribed.

After a few days, the pain begins to subside. Follow the team’s recovery instructions carefully and attend each checkup to ensure an optimal treatment outcome.

To see if you qualify for a bone graft, make an appointment at Pacific Coast Periodontics by calling the office to speak with a caring member of the administrative staff or clicking the online booking tool today.