Essential Things to Know About Bone Graft

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A dental bone transplant is a surgery that increases the quantity of bone in a portion of the jaw that has lost bone or requires additional support.

Bone can be extracted from other parts of the body and surgically joined to the jaw's existing bone. Synthetic bone material is sometimes used.

If additional operations, such as dental implants, are required, or if bone loss is harming the health of adjacent gums and teeth, a dental bone graft may be required.

Read on to find out how dental bone transplants work, how they're done, and what kind of outcomes you might expect.

Reasons You May Need A Dental Bone Graft 

Implants for missing teeth 

Dental bone grafts are commonly used by people who are getting implants to replace missing teeth.

Dental implants are screw-shaped artificial roots that are inserted into the jawbone. The implant is subsequently covered with a crown that resembles the surrounding teeth.

Gum disease or tooth loss 

Those whose look has been harmed by bone loss are also candidates for dental bone grafts. The loss of bone mass in the jaw might make the face appear shorter than it once did.

The lower jawbone can appear to thrust forward if it loses bone mass. Lips and muscles around them can alter look if there isn't good bone structure underneath them. The skin around the jaw might become wrinkled.

Jaw bone loss is more prevalent in elderly people, just as the risk of acquiring the bone-thinning condition osteoporosis rises with age.

However, anyone of any age who has had a jaw injury or has had problems with poor oral hygiene or other health issues, such as serious infections, may require a dental bone graft.

Cost of A Dental Bone Graft 

The price of a dental bone graft varies greatly. The procedure's intricacy and the material employed are the two key elements that influence the cost.

The cost of bone graft material derived from a cadaver, animal, or synthetic substance can range from $400 to $1,200. The cost could rise to $2,000 or more if bone material is extracted from your own body.

Your insurer may cover part of the operation if your doctor determines it is medically essential. It's unlikely that you'll get any insurance help if the grafting is for cosmetic reasons.

How to Prepare 

To prepare for a dental bone graft, you don't need to do anything. Here's a quick rundown of what you should do prior to the procedure:

- Depending on the type of anesthesia you'll have, don't eat or drink anything for 8 to 12 hours before the treatment.
- Consult your doctor about any medications you're taking, particularly blood thinners, as they can increase the risk of bleeding complications during surgery.
- Make plans to return home following the surgery because you will be tired.

Side Effects of A Dental Bone Graft

Pain and edema are the most typical side effects of a dental bone graft.

With ice packs and over-the-counter pain medicines, however, they can be kept to a minimum. Some folks may require prescription-strength drugs.

Minor bleeding and trouble chewing and speaking are other common adverse effects in the first few days.

Despite the fact that this operation is normally safe and well tolerated, there is always the possibility of complications.

Any surgical procedure raises the risk of infection, thus it's critical to finish the entire prescription of antibiotics. Blood clots, nerve damage, anesthetic difficulties, and bone transplant rejection are all uncommon (but significant) possible side effects.