4 Reasons You May Need Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is a procedure that builds thin, damaged, or missing jawbone. Bone graft material fills the void and helps your body rebuild healthy bone tissue. Here are four reasons you may need bone grafting and how it can improve your oral health and smile.

1. Treat Periodontal Disease

Untreated periodontal disease leads to jawbone loss. Bacteria in plaque slowly break down the gum tissue and bone surrounding your teeth. So, your periodontist (a gum, teeth, and bone specialist) may recommend a bone graft to stimulate your body to grow back lost bone.  

Including A Bone Graft In Periodontal Disease Treatment

Your treatment plan may include a bone graft for the following reasons:

• Replace destroyed bone – Prevents premature facial sagging and changes in your bite.
• Stabilize loose teeth – Improves chewing function and makes it easier to practice thorough oral hygiene.
• Retain your smile – Stops tooth loss and gaps in your smile resulting from bone resorption. 

2. Prepare for Dental Implants

A dental implant, or replacement tooth root, needs healthy bone to thrive. Your periodontist will take a radiograph or more commonly a 3-D CT scan to evaluate your jawbone quality and volume and determine if you need a bone graft to help maximize the success of the implant.

Promoting Dental Implant Success With a Bone Graft

A bone graft promotes dental implant success in these situations:

• Missing teeth – Wherever teeth are missing, up to 50 percent of the bone that supported them resorbs within the first six months. A graft will help your body grow new bone.
• Tooth removal – After removing an unsavable tooth, your periodontist may immediately place bone graft material in the socket. A March 2022 article in the Journal of Periodontology confirms that a bone graft immediately after tooth removal substantially reduces the need for a future bone graft if you get a dental implant.
• Teeth and bone loss from gum disease – You may need a bone graft to provide a stable foundation for dental implants.

3. Injury or Trauma

A fall, an accident, or an impact to your face can cause external or internal damage that only a specialist can detect. Injury or trauma to your teeth can also affect the surrounding alveolar bone, which supports teeth and forms their sockets.

Treating an injury or trauma with a bone graft

A periodontist may recommend a bone graft for the following:

• Teeth or jaw trauma – A graft ensures the bone can retain your teeth or a dental implant. A January 2009 Dental Traumatology article confirms that trauma to teeth and surrounding bone requires a thorough evaluation of soft and hard tissue. The damage often leads to reconstructing the alveolar bone before dental implant placement.

4. Restore Bone Loss from Genetic or Developmental Conditions

Some rare genetic or developmental conditions affect periodontal tissues, teeth, or jaw formation and growth. According to a July 2021 article published in Frontiers in Dental Medicine, some ways that genetic conditions may affect periodontal tissues include thinning gums, bone loss, and teeth that loosen or drift. A periodontist will thoroughly review your medical and family histories to determine the cause of your signs and symptoms. After collaborating with your medical doctor, your periodontist may recommend a treatment plan that includes a bone graft.

Improving Genetic or Developmental Conditions With a Bone Graft

A bone graft can improve your oral health in these ways:

• Bone growth – Encourages your body to regenerate bone to support teeth or dental implants
• Bone function – Reinforces thin or weak bone to improve chewing and speech
• Jaw appearance – Improves the jawline’s contour and supports facial muscles

Summary

Periodontal disease treatment, dental implant placement, trauma, or rare genetic conditions may require bone grafting to restore missing or damaged bone. A periodontist specializes in teeth, gum, and bone health to accurately evaluate oral health and recommend treatment.

At Metrolina Periodontics & Dental Implants in Charlotte, Dr. Ficca is a board-certified periodontist and dental implant surgeon. Visit his website for details about bone grafting and what to expect.