- What Is Bone Grafting?
- How Is a Bone Graft Performed?
- What to Expect After Bone Grafting
- What Are the Benefits of Bone Grafting?
- Sexton Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Reviews
- Am I a Candidate for Bone Grafting?
- Does Insurance Cover Bone Grafting?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Strengthen Your Jaw With Bone Grafting
- Get In Touch
- Related Posts
What Is Bone Grafting?
Your jawbone's strength is important to your overall oral health. If your jawbone is weak from physical trauma or missing teeth, you may need to get a bone graft so the jaw can properly hold both dental implants and your natural teeth. A bone graft helps to augment and build up your jawbone until it's dense enough to support an implant. At Sexton Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, osseous surgery is used to strengthen your jawbone for subsequent dental implant surgery to replace weak or missing teeth. Schedule an appointment with Drs. Sexton or Weiskopf in Memphis, TN to learn more on surgical bone grafts.
How Is a Bone Graft Performed?
The exact process of your bone graft procedure will vary based on where the graft comes from and how much grafting is needed. You may have bone taken from another bone in your body, such as the shin, chin, or hip, which is called an autograft. This may be completed in our office with local anesthesia and sedation or in an accredited surgical facility using general anesthesia. Additional graft methods include an allograft that uses bone harvested from another human. A xenograft is taken from an animal, generally a cow. A synthetic bone graft, also known as an alloplast, may also be used. During your consultation, we will go over your graft options and help you decide on the best choice for your needs.
When the bone graft is ready to be placed, we will prepare the needed areas and place an incision through the gum tissue to reach the bone. Your graft will be attached to your bone along with proteins and collagen that encourage the graft to attach and grow. The gum tissue will be sutured closed and the area will be cleaned.
What to Expect After Bone Grafting
In the months following your procedure, the graft will fuse with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration, which typically takes several months. During this time, maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine, including brushing, flossing, and using any products recommended by our team, is essential for optimal healing. You may prescribed pain relievers or antibiotics to address any discomfort or inflammation after your procedure. Follow-up appointments at Sexton & Weiskopf Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery will be necessary to monitor your healing and determine the right time to begin the dental implant process.
What Are the Benefits of Bone Grafting?
At Sexton Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, bone grafting allows various advantages for our Germantown, Arlington, and Memphis, TN patients who suffer from bone loss in the jaw. These are a few main benefits:
- Prompts enhancement of overall oral wellness
- Gives a stable base for dental restorations, like crowns and dentures
- Works to sustain the facial shape and avoid a hollow appearance
- Can help limit further harm to the teeth and jaw
- Stops additional bone loss and deterioration
- Helps give patients a more beautiful, normal-looking facial appearance
- Allows for a sturdy base for dental implants
Sexton Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Reviews
This was my 1st dental visit & consultation at Sexton & Weiskopf. The 1st floor reception area at the Germantown location was very comfortable. The receptionist was very pleasant as she scanned my insurance cards & explained a couple more pages needed to be read & signed. A physician’s assistant called me into the examination room right on-time. He was very pleasant & explained the panoramic X-ray procedure that was required. I returned to the examination room where Dr Weiskopf came in just a few minutes later. My X-ray was displayed showing the tooth to be extracted. Dr Weiskopf described the procedure in detail & answered my questions. Amanda came in to explain the costs & projected out-of-pocket $ that my insurance didn’t cover & made my appointment. I left the office very satisfied with the information I was given. I feel very confident that the procedure will go as planned.
It was the best dental experience I’ve ever had in my life!! Never had one second of pain and the instructions were very clear and simple to understand!! Thank you for taking such great care of me!!
Always a good experience! Very professional as well as personable.
Dr. Weiskopf was so excellent with our daughter, and his follow up was also incredibly kind. He’s the best!
The staff was incredibly kind, helpful, and attentive during my consult and then my surgery. Dr. Sexton called me the night after my surgery to check in with me, answer any questions I had, and it made me feel much more at peace with the recovery process knowing that he was available personally if I had any questions or complications.
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Am I a Candidate for Bone Grafting?
You may be a candidate for bone grafting if you have experienced jawbone loss due to missing teeth, gum disease, or trauma. Candidates typically require sufficient bone density to support dental implants or other restorations. If your jawbone is too thin or weak, bone grafting can rebuild and strengthen the area, making implant placement possible. During your consultation, your oral surgeon will evaluate your dental and medical history, perform imaging, and discuss your goals to determine if bone grafting is the right option for you.
Does Insurance Cover Bone Grafting?
Insurance coverage for bone grafting procedures often depends on the reason for the treatment. If the graft is deemed medically necessary, such as to address bone loss caused by trauma or disease, your insurance may cover part or all of the procedure. It's important to review your policy and consult with your provider to understand your coverage. At Sexton Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our team can help you navigate insurance questions and work with you to provide detailed cost estimates and financing options if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive myself to and from a dental bone graft surgery?
That depends on the type of anesthesia or sedation used during your procedure. If your bone graft is performed using only local anesthesia, you may be able to drive yourself home afterward. However, if IV sedation or another form of sedation is planned, you'll need someone to drive you home safely. Our team will review your treatment plan beforehand so you know exactly what to expect.
How long after bone grafting can I get my permanent restorations?
Healing times vary depending on the size of the graft, the location being treated, and how your body heals. In many cases, several months are needed for the graft to fully integrate with your natural bone before dental implants or permanent restorations can be placed. Our team will monitor your healing with follow-up examinations and imaging to determine when the area is ready for the next stage of treatment.
Where are dental bone grafts sourced from?
Dental bone grafting materials can come from several different sources depending on your specific treatment plan. Options may include your own bone, processed donor bone, animal-derived grafting materials, or highly biocompatible synthetic materials. Each has unique advantages, and our team will recommend the option that best supports healing, bone regeneration, and your long-term treatment goals.
Does getting a bone graft hurt?
Dental bone grafts are performed under local anesthesia or sedation to keep you comfortable during the procedure. This ensures you won’t feel any pain while the graft is being placed. After the procedure, you may experience mild soreness or swelling, but these symptoms are typically manageable with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication and proper aftercare.
Does a bone graft help with periodontal disease?
Yes, a bone graft can help treat periodontal disease by restoring lost bone and providing support for teeth affected by severe gum damage. This procedure encourages new bone growth, improving overall oral health and stability.
What is recovering from a dental bone graft like?
Recovery from a dental bone graft is generally quick, with most patients feeling normal within about two weeks. However, complete healing and integration of the graft can take anywhere from 3 – 9 months, depending on the graft's type and location.
Strengthen Your Jaw With Bone Grafting
Help strengthen your jaw so it can support both your natural teeth and dental implants with surgical bone grafting at Sexton Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Schedule a consultation with Drs. Sexton or Weiskopf to get more information about your options and get a custom plan for treatment that leads to a stronger jaw and healthier mouth. Contact our office in Memphis, TN to make an appointment.