Bone Grafting

The world of dental procedures isn’t limited to just filling cavities and cleaning your teeth. In fact, it contains quite a diverse lineup of medical procedures that many people don’t know about. One of those is bone grafting.

Now, a bone graft isn’t something that most people will need. However, knowing about bone grafts and when you might need one is a good way to educate yourself more about an important part of your systemic and oral health.

What is it?
A bone graft procedure is pretty straightforward. First, Dr. J. Reed Rayher will assess your jawbone and determine what areas of your jaw have lost density or have deteriorated. If you are planning on receiving future dental treatment in those areas, you may need to graft in more bone. Once the treatment area is targeted, our dentist will either take extra bone from elsewhere in your body or use a synthetic graft material. Once your procedure is complete, it can take a few months for the graft to become a part of your natural bone, creating a more stable jawbone. While it is a process, the end result is worth the wait.

Why would I need it?
Our team at Union Square Oral Surgery & Dental Implant often gets asked why someone would ever need to receive a bone graft – especially in the jaw. One of the most common reasons we perform a bone grafts is when a jaw bone has poor jaw health and the patient is planning to receive one or more dental implants. Dental implants require a sturdy, healthy jaw that can handle a titanium implant. If your jaw health isn’t up to par, there is a good chance that you will need a bone graft or choose a different way to replace your lost teeth.

If you have any other questions about the process of getting a bone graft in San Francisco, California, or if you want to schedule an appointment, call us today at 415-397-1400. We can’t wait to help you!