Ridge augmentation, sinus lifts, bone grafts, kind of all fall under what we call regenerative therapy. We’re trying to regrow what the disease has destroyed because you need to have a certain amount of bone to be able to place an implant. And due to either periodontal disease or possibly a infection that you had, a tooth fractured below the gum and they have to remove bone to get the tooth out, then we’re gonna have to rebuild some of that bone because the implant is essentially a tooth root that goes in the bone. There has to be an adequate amount of bone to place that to make it stable, just like a tooth is stable.
So what we do is we’ll place bone in a socket. A new bone will grow. Sometimes that happens on the upper jaw and there’s a sinus there. So that’s a limiting factor. We can’t put an implant in the sinus. So we do a procedure called a sinus lift. We gently raise the sinus up, we add bone kind of to regenerate that bone, to increase the height of the bone, and then that allows us to place the implant. Sometimes again, we’re able to do that. At this time of the sinus lift, we can place the implant. In very rare cases we can’t, but we will look at a CT scan and be able to determine that. So you’ll know before we go in, yes, we can do this, or no we can’t. It’s gonna take this period of time or longer.
Prepare for Implants With Bone Grafts in St. Petersburg
There are numerous reasons for bone loss to happen in your mouth. It’s common if you have suffered from tooth loss or advanced periodontal disease. Whether you are pursuing dental implants or rebuilding your dental health following periodontal disease, bone grafts in St. Petersburg can help. A graft will:
- Prepare you to receive implants
- Replenish bone loss in your jaw and around your teeth
- Improve your oral function and dental health
- Help avoid tooth loss
- Bring you one step closer to enjoying your favorite meals
Call 727-732-3173 for a consultation.
Schedule Your AppointmentStrengthen Your Jaw With a Bone Grafting Procedure
When you get a procedure like bone grafting, you want to trust who is treating you. You can count on Dr. Crawford’s 25-plus years of experience. As a periodontist, he has extensive knowledge about dental implant procedures. In addition, his specialty requires him to have at least three years of education beyond his doctorate degree. Dr. Crawford has gone above and beyond this, since he values ongoing education.
Here is what you can expect with your bone grafting:
- Dr. Crawford will do a thorough exam. We’ll also take digital X-rays and 3-D scans of your mouth to plan for the procedure.
- He’ll discuss what you can expect and answer your questions. We want you to feel confident before the procedure begins.
- We’ll numb your mouth with local anesthesia, so you don’t feel anything. Sedation options are also available.
- Next, he’ll place the bone material in your jaw. After the procedure, it will take time for your mouth to heal and for new bone to grow. After some time has passed, you’ll return to our office to move forward with your implant placements, if that’s why you are receiving a grafting.
- There may be other procedures involved to make you a candidate for implants. Dr. Crawford will discuss what’s needed during your treatment planning process.
To learn more about bone grafts in St. Petersburg or to make an appointment, call 727-732-3173. You can also schedule online.
A bone graft is a surgical procedure that involves taking synthetic bone material and placing it in the jaw where there has been bone loss. The goal is to stimulate new bone growth, so your implants have a strong foundation. The procedure is quick but takes several months for your bone to respond and heal.
Bone grafts may be necessary if you are getting dental implants. It depends on whether you have significant bone loss in the jaw due to tooth loss or gum disease. A bone graft will strengthen the jaw to provide support for implants. However, not all patients will need a bone graft. Dr. Crawford will discuss whether it’s necessary during your consultation.
Bone grafts are typically performed with a local anesthetic, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Sedation options are also available. You may experience discomfort after the procedure, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. Your dentist will provide specific aftercare instructions to help you manage discomfort and promote a healthy recovery.