Do All Dental Implants Need Bone Grafts?

Do All Dental Implants Need Bone Grafts?

October 1, 2022

Bone grafting is a dental procedure that often goes hand in hand with dental implants. But the main question we hear from people scheduled for a bone graft procedure is whether the procedure is always necessary before getting dental implants. The short answer to that question is NO. Although the procedure benefits patients with weak jawbones, it is not mandatory for all dental implants. However, there are still several reasons why your dentist in Canton, OH, may find bone grafting necessary. This article will highlight the different types of dental implants available and whether they all require bone grafting before treatment.

What Is a Bone Graft?

For those unfamiliar with the procedure, bone grafting is conducted surgically with synthetic or natural bones derived from other body parts to replace or strengthen weak bone tissues. A fragile jawbone can cause you to look older than your actual age as the skin around the bone starts to sag due to bone deterioration.

Bone graft treatment reinforces these damaged bones to stimulate the body to heal around the implant and thus naturally strengthen the jaw bone tissue. The grafting procedure requires time to heal and properly integrate into your body which will delay the installation of dental implants. However, you can still get dental implants near you without getting a bone graft as long as you have strong, healthy jawbones.

Types of Dental Implants

There are various types of dental implants, each unique and fitted for different cases. These implants are installed differently and may or may not require you to get fitted with dental implants depending on the one you choose to get. Here are 2 of the most common dental implants still in use today:

Endosteal Implants

This is the most common type of dental implant. It is available in almost every modern dental clinic and can sometimes serve as an alternative to dental bridges and removable dentures. They come in 3 varieties; with blades, threaded screws, and cylindrically shaped ones. When you decide to get dental implants in Canton, OH, your dentist will make a diagnosis and determine which type of Endosteal implant is best suited for your dental needs.

Fitting dental implants involves drilling the jawbone tissue where the implants are secured with screws. Recovery may take months, but the implants will be firmly held in place once osseointegration is complete. Since Endosteal implants are drilled directly into the jawbone, patients with weak jawbones who wish to get these types of implants will first need to strengthen their jawbones through bone grafting.

Subperiosteal Implants

Subperiosteal implants are the best alternative for Endosteal implants. Unlike Endosteal implants, they don’t need a lot of jawbone tissue to fit. Since they are fitted on the jawbone, just underneath the gums, rather than directly into the jawbone tissue, patients rarely need to undergo bone grafting before treatment. Treatment is also faster than endostea implants, but you won’t achieve the same level of stability as you would have gotten from Endosteal implants.

What Would Necessitate Bone Grafting?

Although bone graft procedures are popularly associated with traditional dental implants, they could also be used for other dental procedures. Here are a few examples of such procedures and the roles bone grafting plays in making treatment successful:

Sinus Lift: a sinus lift is usually recommended for patients with thin sinus walls who need implants fitted in their upper jaws. Without a bone graft, these patients’ sinus walls would be unable to support dental implants for dental restoration.

Ridge Augmentation: tooth removal and tooth loss can cause your bone to start shrinking, causing soft tissues in your mouth to change shape. Your dentist may therefore recommend a ridge augmentation through a socket graft to regenerate your gum and jaw’s natural contour.

Dental Socket Preservation: periodontal disease can cause damage to the tooth socket, and if not treated on time, it can spread and cause tooth loss and bone loss. We may have to recommend socket preservation to keep the alveolar bone healthy.

Conclusion

A bone graft procedure is not mandatory for all types of dental implants. However, your dentist may still recommend it if you want to get Endosteal implants but have a weak jawbone. If you are unsure whether the dental implants you plan to get will necessitate bone grafting, visit Danner Dental for a consultation. We have a highly skilled dentist and use the latest dental technology to provide effective and affordable treatment to all our patients.

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