Grafting may be necessary to facilitate sufficient levels of bone and soft-tissue
Bone and soft-tissue grafting are procedures that are commonly completed prior to dental implant surgery in order to replace missing bone and tissue. Without a sufficient amount of bone and soft-tissue in the jaw and around the implant site, you may not be able to effectively have dental implants placed. Often patients present with insufficient bone and soft-tissue due to loss of teeth, previous trauma or tumours, or as a result of congenital deformity such as a cleft lip & palate.
The bone and Soft-tissue grafting procedure
Depending on the individual situation, grafting may take place either prior to dental implant surgery or in some cases can be completed at the same time. If completed prior to implant surgery, it may be due to the fact that the site will need to heal properly in order to produce the most aesthetically appealing outcome.
Most commonly, bone grafts are harvested from other areas of the patient’s body – commonly from other areas of the jaw. Sometimes the patient’s bone can be used in conjunction with other grafting materials to reduce additional deterioration. In complex and severe cases, bone can be harvested from other areas of the body such as the hip.
Depending on the severity of the deterioration, grafting can be completed under local or general anaesthetic. This will be discussed with your surgeon during your initial consultation.
Bone and soft-tissue grafting recovery
Your surgeon will provide specific instruction on how to care for the operated area following surgery. You will be prescribed medication to relieve pain and discomfort during the recovery process. Do not brush or floss the area that the graft has been completed, until it has fully healed. You may be given a special mouth rinse to help keep the area clean and healthy.
You will be given a list of food and drink that you are able to eat during the recovery to ensure that you heal correctly. You should be able to return to work one day after the procedure, however, levels of pain may differ depending on the complexity and location of the graft performed.
Bone and soft tissue grafting at OMFS in Melbourne
If you have been referred for bone and soft-tissue grafting surgery, fill out our patient registration form here!