You may have deficient bone material in your jaw for several reasons, including advancing age, smoking, diabetes, poor health, and untreated infection.
In addition, if you are missing one or more teeth, your body may begin to resorb bone from areas of tooth loss. This can create an unaesthetic gap and a poor foundation for restoration with dental implants.
The oral surgeons at Virginia Advanced Surgical Arts use bone grafting and growth factors to shore up areas of weakness in the jaw. Most frequently, they perform bone grafting as part of the dental implant process. They also use the treatment for patients after removing a cyst or tumor or in reconstructive oral surgeries.
Our oral & maxillofacial surgeons leverage their training and experience to conduct bone grafting in a way that is gentle, accurate, and durable. They utilize state-of-the-art technology, including 3-D CT scans, to determine the type of grafting a patient requires and to plan for each procedure in as much detail as possible.
Bone grafts create a strong foundation for patients who are receiving dental implants. In addition, when patients need a reconstructive procedure, grafts support the facial structure of cheeks and lips for more aesthetic outcomes.
An Overview Of Bone Grafting With Virginia Advanced Surgical Arts
Your Consultation
Your general dentist may recommend bone grafting after reviewing your X-rays and recognizing areas of weakness in your jaw. Alternatively, we may identify this need in the process of planning your dental implants, treating oral pathology, or preparing for reconstructive surgery.
Our surgeons will explain the bone grafting process during your initial visit. Most of these procedures are very straightforward, comfortable, and easy for patients. It’s generally a matter of putting the bone grafting material into the site where patients need it.
As part of the treatment, we often use platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to improve healing in the surgical site. This substance, derived from your own blood, has special regenerative qualities, such as reducing inflammation and boosting immunity. Producing PRF is a process that our surgeons perform in-office.
Many of the bone grafts that Dr. Vigliante, Dr. Gocke, Dr. McAdams, and Dr. Thomas place are to prepare the foundation for dental implants. They will use different bone-grafting techniques depending on where you need the implant. Most notably, restoring a tooth at the back of the jaw, near the sinus, requires a more advanced surgical approach.
Bone Grafting For Most Dental Implants
Our surgeons will place bone material into the cavity and then add a tissue membrane on top. This membrane will separate the gums from the bone tissue, keeping the bone in place. Typically, patients experience minimal discomfort and swelling as a result of treatment.
Sinus Lift
Your sinuses are empty cavities next to the back of your jaw. If you need to have a dental implant placed near a sinus cavity, our surgeons may perform bone grafting in the sinus. This will allow the implant to anchor into solid bone.
Our surgeons apply two different approaches to sinus bone grafting:
- Following the prep site. Our oral surgeons will use specialized instruments to operate through the site where they will place the dental implant. They will push up the sinus floor to move it out of the way of the dental implant, and they may also add bone material in this space.
- Creating a window. This more invasive approach is sometimes necessary in complex cases. As part of the process, our oral surgeons will make a small window in the upper jaw and add bone below the sinus membrane.
Regardless of the technique that your surgeon uses, you can expect skilled, compassionate care and a collaborative, transparent approach to your treatment.
Your Aftercare Experience
You will come in for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Vigliante, Dr. Gocke, Dr. McAdams, and Dr. Thomas about a week after bone grafting. Most patients need about three months for the new bone to integrate fully with their jaw. At that point, one of our oral & maxillofacial surgeons will again check your surgical site with 3-D CT scans.
If you are receiving bone grafts as part of treatment with dental implants, our oral surgeons will evaluate whether the bone has strengthened enough to begin that process. At every stage, his top concerns are providing you with the best quality of care, comfort, and functionality.
Whether you are planning for dental implants, or your dentist recommends bone grafting to strengthen the bone in your jaw, explore treatment with our surgeons. Patients can contact Virginia Advanced Surgical Arts’ McLean office at (703) 388-2805, Reston office at (571) 595-3223, or Leesburg office at (703) 723-5366.
