With advances in medical and dental research, new and effective surgical procedures have been developed to repair and grow new bone in the jaw bones and around teeth.
When a bone is missing portions of it, doctors sometimes refer to this as a “bony defect.” In regards to the jaw and its potential bone defects, such cases include periodontal defects which surround the roots of teeth; defects which can follow tooth extractions; long-term tooth loss or trauma causing a generalized decrease in the mass of the jaw bone; and cysts or tumor surgery resulting in these types of defects.
When part of your body is missing bone, bone grafts and guided bone regeneration (GBR) are needed. A bone graft is a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone. This bone graft material also assists your body in regrowing lost bone in the area. GBR is used to encourage new bone growth by the placement of a membrane over the bone graft site. The membrane also prevents the growth of scar tissue in the grafted site.
After tooth extraction, the bone throughout the area will usually change in appearance and decrease in size. The shrinkage of the bone in the area can make it difficult to place a conventional bridge or an implant-supported crown. In order to minimize bone loss, maintain the bone ridge, and therefore, preserve the bone for function and aesthetics, your periodontist may recommend you get bone grafting at the time of tooth extraction. Modern bone grafting materials and techniques make it possible for your dentist to preserve bone that was impossible to preserve in the past.
Dr. Fialkoff specializes in dental surgeries such as bone grafts. If you would like more information, please contact our office to make an appointment for a consultation.
Dr. Bernard Fialkoff
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