Whether you decide to opt for a dental implant in Richmond or Harley Street W1, then you need to know that the process might not be as straight forward as simply having a consultation before undergoing surgery for implants. Instead there may well be underlying issues which need to be dealt with first, and for many people this means a bone graft.
So what exactly is a bone graft?
A bone graft is simply a procedure whereby new bone either taken from the patient (or in most cases) from a bone bank, is then transplanted onto existing bone. Overtime the new bone tissue merges and fuses with the existing bone to create a new bone area that’s either denser or has more height.
So what has this got to do with a dental implant?
By it’s very nature, for a dental implant to survive and indeed function correctly it needs to be secured into bone that has either sufficient height and/or density. The problem is that for many people who suffer tooth loss, bone tissue which was once used to support the tooth root has degenerated. This is because it no longer has a function. It will also continue to degenerate over time and is commonly known as bone atrophy. The good news is that when you undergo surgery for dental implants in Richmond, it re-stimulates the bone due to a remarkable process known as osseointegration. This is where existing bone tissue merges and fuses with the titanium implant creating a super strong platform. For those who have suffered bone loss then a bone graft is carried out in order to give the implant sufficient bone mass so that it has the best possible chance of success.
Where is it carried out?
In cases where bone is taken from areas other than your mouth, such as the hips, then surgery is generally carried out in a hospital. The sample bone is then delivered to your dentist who will then carry out the grafting procedure. If bone tissue samples from a bone bank are used, then you’ll undergo the procedure at your dental clinic A bone graft takes somewhere between 1-2 hours to perform and is a painless surgical process. However healing time can take 3-6 months and sometimes longer depending upon the person. This time is needed for the bone to fuse and is carried out before any implant can be placed.
What about success rates?
The good news is that recent advances in technology have dramatically increased chances of success. However like all surgical procedures, there’s no outright guarantee that the new bone will take, but chances are increased if the patient leads a healthy lifestyle.
If you want to know more about bone grafting or any other aspect of dental implants in Richmond, then speak to Sheen Dental. We’ve been successfully fitting implants for many years and as a result Dr Harmit Kalsi and his experienced team are standing by to assist. Why not contact us on 020 8876 5277 or visit our website at www.sheendental.co.uk and equip yourself with all the knowledge you need before making an informed decision.