Bone Grafting in Henderson, NV
Preparing for Dental Implants
Dental implants are a revolutionary tooth loss solution that can mimic tooth roots to prevent jawbone deterioration. Unfortunately, many patients have already lost bone mass due to missing teeth and may be deemed ineligible for implants because of it.
At Green Valley Dental, Dr. Dadon-Harris offers bone grafting as a supplemental procedure for implants. Bone grafts preserve healthy jawbone volume and preserve a stable foundation for dental implant fixtures. Read on to explore our guide to bone grafts and discover if you may benefit.
What Is a Bone Graft?
Just like the rest of our body, the bones in our mouth take longer to heal than soft tissue. What does that mean? If you cut your wrist, in a week or two weeks your wrist will heal as if nothing ever happened… BUT if you break your wrist, your bone will take up to four months to heal. The same process takes place in our mouths.
Because of this, if you have a tooth extracted and do not have a bone graft placed- your gum tissue will simply fill the space where the tooth was within weeks, not allowing your bone to grow, leading to jawbone volume deterioration. Bone grafting acts as a space holder as well as a scaffolding- preventing your gum tissue from growing into the extraction site and allowing your body to rebuild bone and heal.
When Is a Bone Graft Necessary?
The jawbone relies on tooth roots to keep it stimulated, which is what prevents deterioration. When you lose even one tooth, your jawbone won’t receive the stimulation it needs. Missing teeth commonly lead to jawbone deterioration, in which the jawbone loses density.
Patients looking for a convenient way to restore their weakened jawbones may benefit from a bone graft. Not only is this procedure ideal for patients seeking to strengthen their jawbones, but it can also help boost a patient’s eligibility for dental implants as well as provide support to remaining teeth.
The Bone Grafting Process
Your journey to a strengthened jawbone begins with a consultation with Dr. Dadon-Harris at our Henderson office. She’ll evaluate your jaw and oral health to determine if a bone graft is right for you. During this appointment, she’ll also discuss your preference for anesthetic or nitrous oxide sedation.
You’ll first receive either nitrous oxide sedation or a local anesthetic to ensure your experience is painless. Then, donor tissue will be grafted to the damaged areas of your jawbone.
If needed, after an extraction, Dr. Dadon-Harris will perform the procedure by placing the donor tissue and then using a collagen membrane to protect the grafted tissue and promote healthy bone growth. A single suture will be placed to keep the graft and membrane in place and you will be provided with both verbal and written post-op instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients are typically back to normal after two to three weeks. The recovery time depends on a patient’s oral health and the condition of their jawbone before the procedure.
You can’t undergo an implant procedure until your mouth has fully healed from the bone graft. Dr. Dadon-Harris will provide you with an estimated treatment timeline at your initial consultation.
The cost of your bone grafting procedure will depend on several factors, including the condition of your jawbone. Dr. Dadon-Harris will provide you with a cost breakdown of your treatment at your initial consultation. The front desk will further assist you with financial information and options. We recommend contacting your dental insurance provider ahead of time to discover what your plan will cover.
No! Thanks to local anesthesia or one of our safe nitrous oxide sedation, your bone grafting procedure will be virtually painless. Our Henderson dental team will be with you every step of the way to ensure you’re comfortable during the procedure.
Some patients may experience mild discomfort after their bone grafts due to their mouth being open, but any pain should fade within a few days and can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Restore Your Jawbone With Dr. Dadon-Harris
Whether you’re looking to boost your candidacy for dental implants or restore your weakened jawbone, bone grafting may be the ideal solution for you. Dr. Dadon-Harris will ensure your experience is as painless and stress-free as possible.
To schedule an appointment at our Henderson office, give us a call at (702) 896-8933. You can also request an appointment online by filling out our convenient contact form.