Some things in the dental world are widely known and understood – things like filling cavities, braces, and dental crowns. But fewer people know about bone grafting as it relates to dentistry. It’s actually a critical part of some aspects of dentistry, including periodontistry – the prevention and treatment of gum disease.
So what exactly is a bone graft? And why would you need one? We’ll take a look at those questions, and a few others, in this blog post.
What is a bone graft?
A bone graft is a procedure performed by a highly-trained oral surgeon like Dr. Michael Shirer at Shirer Family Dentistry in Aiken, South Carolina, where a bone sample from another part of your body is grafted into your jaw. This process makes the jaw stronger, and can help solve a multitude of different problems.
Why would I need one?
A bone graft is used to treat decay caused by gum disease or other oral health issues. It’s also used to strengthen your jaw bone in preparation for getting a dental implant. If you’ve had to lost teeth due to infection, the jaw bone can be left weakened. If that’s the case, then before getting your teeth replaced your jaw will have to be improved in order to support a healthy implant.
Are they common?
It’s not common to need a bone graft unless you have bad oral health to begin with. For most patients, it’s a last-resort type option. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us today at 803-648-6400.