We Build a Strong and Stable Foundation for Your Smile with Bone Grafting
Washington Periodontics offers high-quality dental grafts to patients in Burke, Virginia, and the nearby locations. Under the guidance of our experienced periodontist, Dr. Christine Karapetian, we achieve excellent bone grafting outcomes to improve aesthetics or oral health. Schedule an appointment today to build a solid foundation for your smile.
What is bone grafting?
A dental graft involves transferring bone tissue to jaw areas requiring stabilization. This procedure involves placing a healthy bone graft in the region with bone loss to rebuild your jawbone’s volume and density. You’ll likely need a bone graft if you have lost your jawbone’s height and width to injury, advanced gum disease, infection, or prolonged tooth loss or denture wear.
Dr. Karapetian can harvest a dental graft from several sources. The graft can come from one’s own body (autogenous), animal sources (xenografts), human donors (allografts), or synthetic materials. The doctor will discuss the pros and cons of each source with you and determine the one that best suits your needs.
Why do you need bone grafting?
We commonly place bone grafts for patients with insufficient bone density or volume to support dental implants. Previously, such patients with bone loss were ineligible for implantology. However, bone augmentation rebuilds the jawbone to create a suitable foundation to support one or more dental implants.
The other reasons for bone grafting include.
- Improving aesthetics: Jawbone loss causes a sunken or aged appearance, particularly around the mouth and cheeks. Bone grafting restores lost bone mass, helping to support facial structures and prevent this collapse. A bone graft enhances facial aesthetics by maintaining a fuller, more youthful appearance.
- Enhanced dental alignment: Where bone loss has led to tooth misalignment, bone grafting can help re-establish the bone structure needed to support the teeth properly.
- Improved bite: A healthy jawbone is crucial for maintaining a proper bite. Restoring the bone structure optimizes oral functionality, making it easier to chew and speak effectively.
What can I expect from the bone grafting procedure?
The procedure starts with a consultation using digital x-rays and 3D scans to determine the amount of bone lost and the size of the bone graft. We have refined the bone grafting procedure over the years so that you can expect a seamless and comfortable experience.
Before the surgery, Dr. Karapetian will numb your gums with powerful anesthetics to ensure you don’t feel pain. Then, she will make a small incision in the gums to expose the underlying alveolar bone. Next, she will suture the bone graft in the receded area and leave it to heal. Sometimes, she may put a barrier membrane (guided tissue regeneration) on the bone graft to allow new bone to grow properly in place. Over the next few months, the bone graft will fuse with the jawbone to form an unbreakable bond.
Sometimes, you may need a bone graft in the upper back of the mouth. A dental graft in this area is a little more complex because of the proximity to the sinus cavity. The doctor administers a sinus lift or augmentation by raising the sinus floor before placing a bone graft.
Are you interested in bone grafting?
Whether you need a bone graft or sinus lift, no procedure is too complicated for Dr. Karapetian and the team—call (571) 569-7540 to reserve an appointment. You’ll be glad you did it!
