Bone grafting is one of the more common medical procedures performed. While it is commonly used to fix physiological trauma with bones in the body, it is also used to repair issues in the mouth.
The reason for this revolves around the way the mouth works. The jaw bones, particularly the lower jaw bone, tend to experience deterioration under certain circumstances. When these bones have eroded, they become unable to act as a firm foundation for any cosmetic dentistry.
It is beneficial to take a closer look at why the bone is so important in dentistry, why bone grafting is necessary and some situations where bone grafting allows for certain advanced cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Why is Bone Important to Dentistry?
The upper and lower jaw bones are where the teeth reside in the mouth. These bones form the foundation for the sockets, which anchor teeth roots using periodontal ligaments.
Once these bones begin to erode or when certain deformities exist, it becomes impossible for the teeth to be maintained. Even something like losing a tooth can allow for the bone to be absorbed by the body, which in turn results in bone loss. Dental restorations may become difficult or impossible with too much bone loss.
Why is Bone Grafting Necessary?
Bone grafting is necessary because it allows the body to begin rebuilding lost bone tissue in ways that are beneficial to any proceeding dentistry. Consider a patient who lost a molar due to trauma at an early age. The bone may have been absorbed by the body where that “hole” was created. The surrounding teeth may have shifted to accommodate for this loss, which in turn could lead to crowding or extra spacing.
Restoring this area becomes particularly difficult because of the lost bone. The jaw is weakened where there is less bone. A graft can be used to create a scaffold for the body to add new bone. While this process does take time, it leads to the restoration of bone when the graft successfully takes. This creates a strong foundation for any proceeding cosmetic dental work while minimizing the risk of future dental complications.
Situations Where Bone Grafting is Needed for Cosmetic Dentistry
There are a number of situations where bone grafting may be necessary for cosmetic dentistry to achieve a desirable outcome. Consider a patient who has lost just one tooth as the previous example explored. The loss of one tooth may alter the way the entire mouth looks while opened and closed. A bone graft can prevent further degradation while allowing for certain cosmetic restorations.
Another example of when a bone graft may be necessary is when a patient desires an implant or a bridge. The implant requires bone to be anchored into the mouth. The bridge needs the bone to minimize any gum loss while distributing more of the chewing forces, which in turn helps the bridge to last longer while looking more natural.
The last major example where a bone graft may be necessary is when a patient requires major cosmetic dental procedures. If a patient has lost a significant portion of their teeth in a quadrant of their mouth, then several bone grafts may be required to rebuild the bone. Implants can then be anchored into the mouth to provide dental restoration that is both functional and beautiful.
Learn More About Bone Grafting
If you think you may be a candidate for bone grafting, or you simply desire the best cosmetic dental restoration possible, schedule a consultation at the office of Dr. Samuel F. Jirik, DDS in Cabot, AR. Our cosmetic dentist can evaluate your mouth to create an actionable plan for making your smile beautiful again. Our office proudly serves the Little Rock, AR and surrounding areas. Contact us today to book your dental appointment.
