- What Is Bone Grafting?
- How Is a Bone Graft Performed?
- What to Expect After Bone Grafting
- What Are the Benefits of Bone Grafting?
- Sexton Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Reviews
- Am I a Candidate for Bone Grafting?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Strengthen Your Jaw With Bone Grafting
- Get In Touch
What Is Bone Grafting?
Your jawbone's strength is important to your overall oral health. If your jawbone is weak from physical trauma or missing teeth, you may need to get a bone graft so the jaw can properly hold both dental implants and your natural teeth. A bone graft helps to augment and build up your jawbone until it's dense enough to support an implant. At Sexton Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, osseous surgery is used to strengthen your jawbone for subsequent dental implant surgery to replace weak or missing teeth. Schedule an appointment with Drs. Sexton, Weiskopf, or Russ in Memphis, TN to learn more on surgical bone grafts.
How Is a Bone Graft Performed?
The exact process of your bone graft procedure will vary based on where the graft comes from and how much grafting is needed. You may have bone taken from another bone in your body, such as the shin, chin, or hip, which is called an autograft. This may be completed in our office with local anesthesia and sedation or in an accredited surgical facility using general anesthesia. Additional graft methods include an allograft that uses bone harvested from another human. A xenograft is taken from an animal, generally a cow. A synthetic bone graft, also known as an alloplast, may also be used. During your consultation, we will go over your graft options and help you decide on the best choice for your needs.
When the bone graft is ready to be placed, we will prepare the needed areas and place an incision through the gum tissue to reach the bone. Your graft will be attached to your bone along with proteins and collagen that encourage the graft to attach and grow. The gum tissue will be sutured closed and the area will be cleaned.
What to Expect After Bone Grafting
In the months following your procedure, the graft will fuse with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration, which typically takes several months. During this time, maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine, including brushing, flossing, and using any products recommended by our team, is essential for optimal healing. You may prescribed pain relievers or antibiotics to address any discomfort or inflammation after your procedure. Follow-up appointments at Sexton & Weiskopf Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery will be necessary to monitor your healing and determine the right time to begin the dental implant process.
What Are the Benefits of Bone Grafting?
At Sexton Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, bone grafting allows various advantages for our Germantown, Arlington, and Memphis, TN patients who suffer from bone loss in the jaw. These are a few main benefits:
- Prompts enhancement of overall oral wellness
- Gives a stable base for dental restorations, like crowns and dentures
- Works to sustain the facial shape and avoid a hollow appearance
- Can help limit further harm to the teeth and jaw
- Stops additional bone loss and deterioration
- Helps give patients a more beautiful, normal-looking facial appearance
- Allows for a sturdy base for dental implants
Sexton Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Reviews
In and out, so easy and kind. The doctor that did my surgery followed up with a phone call later in the day.
Wonderful and efficient staff.Dr.Weiskopf is excellent.My confidence in him calmed my anxiety about the procedure.His call the check on me the night after my surgery really meant alot to ne.
Got an apicoectomy and wisdom tooth removal. My surgeon was extremely forthcoming and knowledgeable at my consultation. The surgery went smooth and the aftercare was wonderful. Any questions we had both before and after were taken seriously and no matter how small were addressed with patience and care.
Dr. Wesikopf and his staff were so informative and helpful through the process of my wisdom teeth removal. Savannah was extremely helpful in regards to talking to me and helping me to relax before the surgery and answering any questions I had. The entire process was extremely quick and Dr. Wesikopf called and checked on me after my surgery. I highly recommend this institution for any Oral surgeries needed!
Dr. Weiskopf and his team are the BEST they are so caring and excellent care. I would highly recommend them.
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Total Reviews
4.9
Average Rating
Am I a Candidate for Bone Grafting?
You may be a candidate for bone grafting if you have experienced jawbone loss due to missing teeth, gum disease, or trauma. Candidates typically require sufficient bone density to support dental implants or other restorations. If your jawbone is too thin or weak, bone grafting can rebuild and strengthen the area, making implant placement possible. During your consultation, your oral surgeon will evaluate your dental and medical history, perform imaging, and discuss your goals to determine if bone grafting is the right option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does getting a bone graft hurt?
Dental bone grafts are performed under local anesthesia or sedation to keep you comfortable during the procedure. This ensures you won’t feel any pain while the graft is being placed. After the procedure, you may experience mild soreness or swelling, but these symptoms are typically manageable with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication and proper aftercare.
Does a bone graft help with periodontal disease?
Yes, a bone graft can help treat periodontal disease by restoring lost bone and providing support for teeth affected by severe gum damage. This procedure encourages new bone growth, improving overall oral health and stability.
What is recovering from a dental bone graft like?
Recovery from a dental bone graft is generally quick, with most patients feeling normal within about two weeks. However, complete healing and integration of the graft can take anywhere from 3 – 9 months, depending on the graft's type and location.
Strengthen Your Jaw With Bone Grafting
Help strengthen your jaw so it can support both your natural teeth and dental implants with surgical bone grafting at Sexton Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Schedule a consultation with Drs. Sexton, Weiskopf, or Russ to get more information about your options and get a custom plan for treatment that leads to a stronger jaw and healthier mouth. Contact our office in Memphis, TN to make an appointment.