Dental Implant Prep: When Is Bone Grafting Necessary?

If you’re considering dentures, you’ll probably be glad to know that you have an option to get a permanent set of replacement teeth. With denture implants, you don’t have to deal with any of the fiddliness or discomfort that comes with removable dentures. 

Here at Central Avenue Dental, we offer All-on-4® dentures, a system that secures a full arch of teeth using just four strategically placed implants. In short, if you’re in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, or Valley Stream, New York, our providers have options for you. 

Sometimes, we need to prepare your jawbone for the implants first. Fortunately, we also offer full mouth restoration. 

Why you might need bone grafting before denture implants

Think of the implants for your dentures like the foundation for a house. These metal rods establish a sturdy structure to hold everything in place. 

But as with foundation work, you might need to prep the area first. If your jawbone isn’t strong enough to support the implants, they can fail. 

This gets particularly important when we’re talking about dentures. Usually, people consider dentures when they’ve already experienced significant tooth decay. If you’ve lost one or multiple teeth, it changes things for your jaw. 

The roots of your teeth help to provide nourishment for your jawbone. At the same time, your chewing helps to stimulate and strengthen the underlying bone. Without a tooth, that portion of your jawbone starts to shrink. 

That’s why we check your jawbone before we get started with denture implants. We can see if you have a sufficiently sturdy foundation or if we need to do some prep work first. If your jawbone doesn’t seem up to the task of supporting implants, we perform bone grafting. 

What to expect with pre-implant bone grafting

Bone grafting requires a minor procedure. First, we thoroughly numb the area. Then, we make a small incision over the part of your jawbone we want to reinforce. We add bone grafting material to the area, along with a membrane to protect it. Then, we close the incision.

Most people report minimal pain after bone grafting. We give you medication and a care plan to keep you comfortable. 

It typically takes a few months for your body to integrate the grafting material into your jawbone. We monitor your progress and let you know when you’re ready for your denture implants. 

You don’t have to commit to life with fiddly dentures. To get an implant-supported option backed by a strong jawbone, come see our team. We can help you explore your options, including All-on-4 dentures. Call the Central Avenue Dental office nearest you or book online today.