Bone Grafting and Socket Preservation – Olympia, WA

Over a period of time, having missing teeth can cause the bone in the jaw to be reabsorbed and bone is lost in the area. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone making placement of dental implants challenging. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for placement of dental implants.

Today, we have the ability to grow bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implant of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance. Grafting the area of thin bone can help improve the likelihood that you will enjoy your implants throughout your life without complications. 

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting can repair future implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease, or injuries. The bone is either obtained from a tissue bank or your own bone is used. Sinus Lifts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum and protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.

Large bone grafts are typically performed to repair defects of the jawbone. These defects may arise as a result of traumatic injuries, tumor surgery, or congenital defects. The larger the defect, the more we are asking the body to regenerate. In some cases more than one procedure may be required. Patients can expect minor to moderate discomfort and swelling after these larger grafting procedures. 

Small bone grafts are usually a localized area where there just isn’t enough bone for the implant to be placed, but there is still a good amount of bone remaining. These grafts are frequently very successful and patients experience little discomfort, but possibly still some swelling, after the procedure. 

Bone grafts are a wonderful new technology that allows Dr. Coppin and Dr. Lane to help make implants a reality for patients who traditionally may not have had enough bone for implants.