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Dec
When Would You Need Dental Bone Grafting?
Good bone density is one of the main requirements for getting dental implants. If you’ve suffered extensive bone loss after losing one or more teeth, your Caledonia, Michigan, dentist may recommend dental bone grafting to put implant treatment within your reach. Like most people, you may be unfamiliar with bone grafting and have several questions about this treatment. Family Dentistry of Caledonia answers those questions here.
What is a dental bone graft?
When you lose teeth, your jawbone starts to deteriorate due to a lack of stimulation from tooth roots. Bone grafting is a procedure to replace the missing jawbone to strengthen your jaw. If you plan on getting implants, you need a strong, healthy jaw as the implants fuse with jawbone tissue for stability and support. This osseointegration process is essential to keeping your new teeth in place after the implant has healed. We will use healthy bone tissue from another part of your body or a separate donor source to complete your bone graft procedure.   Â
When would you need dental bone grafting?
One of the main purposes of bone grafting is to rebuild your jaw to support dental implants. However, this treatment can also serve other purposes. Bone grafting can fill a tooth socket after a tooth extraction, reinforce your jaw for denture treatment, stabilize loose teeth, repair your jaw after dental trauma, or replace bone lost to gum disease. We will take x-rays to determine the state of your jawbone before any dental treatments to determine if a bone graft is needed.
Are there health risks to this procedure?
All surgical treatments have risks, although in many cases, they’re quite small. Infection, inflammation, jaw pain, nerve damage, and complications from the anesthesia are some of the risks of this treatment. Before your treatment, Dr. Scott will discuss all risk factors with you.
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New Patients: (616) 816-5882 | Existing Patients: (616) 891-0004
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Can dental bone graft cause cancer?
Studies show no link between dental bone grafting or implant treatment and cancer.
Does bone grafting hurt?
This procedure is generally done under local anesthetic to keep you from feeling pain or discomfort. Anxious patients can take advantage of our sedation options to keep them calm and relaxed during this treatment. Â
How long does a dental bone graft take to heal?
Healing time is typically about four months, depending on the complexity of your treatment. However, your initial recovery from the bone graft procedure should take about a week. If you feel swelling or pain after your procedure, you can take OTC medication to ease these symptoms. Eat a soft diet, avoid strenuous activities during your initial recovery, and do not disturb the surgical site to prevent complications from healing.
Where can I go for safe and effective dental bone grafting treatment?
Caledonia, Michigan, residents can contact Drs. Gary Scott and Ally Grove from Family Dentistry of Caledonia for bone grafting treatment. We can be reached at (616) 816-5882 and look forward to meeting your dental care needs.Â
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Dr. Gary L. Scott, DDS
Dr. Gary Scott is a highly experienced dentist with over 25 years of practice, having earned his DDS from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1996. Following graduation, Dr. Scott served in the U.S. Army, completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency and serving with distinction in the 10th Mountain Division. In 1999, he established Family Dentistry of Caledonia, where he continues to provide trusted care. With his dedication to patient well-being and community service, you can trust Dr. Scott to deliver compassionate, expert dental care for your family.
Dr. Allyson M. Grove, DDS
Dr. Ally Grove is a compassionate and dynamic dentist who graduated with her DDS from the University of Michigan in 2022. She holds a dual degree in Biology and Spanish from Ferris State University, where she was also a student-athlete. Dr. Grove is dedicated to providing comprehensive dental care at Family Dentistry of Caledonia and is passionate about patient education and comfort. She strives to build lasting relationships with her patients through trust, personalized care, and a commitment to their well-being.