Bone Grafting Corpus Christi
Rebuilding Bone to Secure Your Future Implant
A beautiful smile isn’t just about white, straight teeth; it also relies on healthy gums and a strong jawbone to keep everything in place. When a tooth is lost due to decay, gum disease, injury, or extraction, the bone around it can start to shrink. Replacing that tooth with a dental implant requires a sturdy foundation, which is why bone grafting can be an important step in protecting your smile. Keep reading to learn what to expect with this service to prepare you for a long-term tooth replacement in Corpus Christi, or give us a call today to schedule a consultation!
Why Choose South Texas Periodontics & Implants for Bone Grafting?
- Modern Dental Technology for Greater Success
- Board-Certified Periodontists with Decades of Combined Experience
- Sedation Dentistry for Optimal Comfort
What is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a treatment used to restore and preserve the jawbone after a tooth is lost or removed. When teeth have been missing for a while, the bone can shrink over time, and grafting helps rebuild it. This extra bone is often necessary if you’re planning to get dental implants to replace missing teeth, giving them a strong and stable foundation.
Bone Grafting After Tooth Loss
When teeth have been missing for some time, the jawbone can start to shrink because it’s no longer being stimulated by chewing and biting. This process, called bone resorption, gradually weakens the area where teeth used to be. To rebuild the lost bone, a periodontist can take a small piece of bone from elsewhere in the mouth or use donor bone that has been carefully prepared. This helps restore a strong foundation for future dental work.
Bone Grafting After Tooth Extraction
If a tooth is extracted, the empty socket might be filled with freeze-dried bone granules to help preserve the area. A thin membrane is placed over the site and sutured closed. If you’re planning for a full or partial denture, the area usually heals in about four to six weeks. For dental implants or implant-supported dentures, though, it typically takes four to six months for the bone to fully develop and be strong enough to support the implant.
What Are the Benefits of Bone Grafting?
A bone graft helps rebuild and strengthen the jawbone, giving you more options for replacing missing teeth. Even a single missing tooth can impact both your smile and your oral health. Teeth around the gap may shift, altering your bite, and the risk of cavities and gum disease can increase. With a successful bone graft, you’ll have a strong foundation for the replacement option that works best for you, whether that’s an implant, bridge, or denture.