The process of adding structure to your existing bone in order to give an appropriate base for the implant to be placed is called bone grafting. The bone in your jaw can be stimulated to grow either through natural or synthetic means. During the first appointment of the implantation process, the dentist will carry out an evaluation of the tissues in the gum and teeth bone, thereafter before developing a treatment plan he/she will advise you on the best available treatment options.
In some people, the bone may either be too narrow or/and shallow to provide a stable foundation for implants. As well, in some cases the original bone might have been suitable for an implant, but disease or decay, probably starting with infection from the teeth that were lost or removed, has weakened the bone so that it is unable to support an implant. The bone, depending on the type of restoration desired, must have adequate height, width and positioning for dental implant placement. Additionally, the bone normally has to be at or near the same level as the adjacent bone. This is a fact that patients must understand, the bone provides the foundation for the support of the implant and this is what necessitates a bone graft for the dental implant to be placed.
There are various options available in obtaining the bone for bone grafting, the first available option is by using bone from your own mouth, and this is the simplest bone grafting method as it involves gathering bone that came from your own mouth to prepare the implant area. In other instances synthetic materials can also be used in order to stimulate the bone growth. In situations where the top jaw above the back teeth has insufficient bone for holding implants, the sinuses are lifted and bone is inserted into the sinus chambers to grow enough structure to secure dental implants. Dentist may use bone from other parts of your body (the hip is a common donor area) and use it in order to increase the bone structure in your mouth to support the dental implants. In this type of treatment, your dentist will work together with a surgeon to perform the procedure in a hospital. This alternative can be considered as the lengthiest when it comes to surgical time, but it has a very high success rate.