There is a lot of information in the media and online about bone grafting and dental implants that it can be confusing to patients who come to our office in Beverly Hills for treatment. Contrary to the perspective of many dental professionals, bone grafting is not always required in conjunction with an extraction, for implant preparation, or when placing dental implants.

Frequently, this procedure is suggested without the proper insight and assessment of the patient’s dental anatomy. Dr. Anson has evolved a minimally invasive and highly effective technique for bone grafting that draws from:

  • Published scientific articles on bone grafting to save teeth, for extraction socket bone preservation, and for minimally invasive sinus bone augmentation, with and without simultaneous implant placement
  • Over twenty years of contributing to the field of bone grafting and bone augmentation.
  • Advanced 3D imaging for improved diagnosis and more accurate and safer implant placement.
  • The Piezo surgical technique that uses ultrasonic vibrations that avoid damage that conventional rotary devices cause to surrounding tissue and bone.

While bone grafting is sometimes necessary to achieve optimal aesthetic and functional results with dental implants for our patients in Beverly Hills and surrounding areas, it should only be suggested after a thorough evaluation that accounts for the depth, width, and height of the bone needed for implant placement as well as optimal aesthetic outcomes.

When Do I Need a Bone Graft?

When it is not possible to set dental implants as a result of insufficient bone to provide a strong and reliable foundation, a bone graft from another area of the mouth (or synthetic bone), can be placed to enhance the implant placement site. 

 

Common Factors That Cause Patients To Lose Bone

  • Progressive Disease  – Gum disease such as periodontitis if left untreated.
  • Infection – With a root canal or tooth infection patients can quickly lose bone if the condition is left untreated.
  • Trauma – Blunt trauma from an accident or severe injury can cause bone loss that will need to be repaired for long-term recovery.
  • Tooth Removal – When a tooth is removed, the socket closes as bone heals around the area. The newly healed bone can sometimes shrink or is resorbed by the body unless a dental implant or another material is placed in the area.

In many cases, bone loss can be avoided by using the proper technique and timing to remove teeth and place dental implants. However, our patients who have already experienced bone loss can often combine bone augmentation with implant placement so that no additional surgical procedures are necessary.

How Do You Preserve Bone During Surgical Tooth Removal?

If you are facing impending tooth loss, our Periodontists are able to surgically remove the tooth using a special technique that minimizes discomfort and promotes rapid healing.

This surgical tooth removal technique also preserves the bone surrounding the tooth by:

  • Carefully sectioning the tooth into two or three parts and gently removing the root. In this way, all bone is preserved rather than simply pulling the entire tooth and root in one stage.
  • Bone grafting the socket at the time of extraction in certain situations.
  • Suturing the area with dissolvable stitches that melt away as you heal.

Will a Bone Graft Improve the Appearance of My Smile?

When the bone is thin (for example, the bone beneath the gum tissue and above the upper front teeth) it deteriorates much faster, leading to a visible defect. When there are multiple anterior teeth are missing, the bone deterioration can collapse the lip, which negatively affects the facial profile.

Leaders in implant dentistry have shown in most cases (through long-term scientific and clinical studies), bone grafting greatly enhances the aesthetics in the front of the mouth. It is usually possible to increase or replace bone with advanced grafting techniques and successfully place implants for our patients who have lost bone in their mouths. The defects in the bone can be corrected to achieve optimal results and create favorable facial contours and tissue support.

If you are considering a bone graft, contact our Beverly Hills office at (310) 657-0999 for a thorough examination.