Bone Grafting services offered in San Luis Obispo, CA
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure designed to strengthen your jaw. During treatment, Dr. Sayre-Carstairs makes a small incision in your gums and carefully inserts a piece of natural or synthetic bone into the damaged or diseased area of your jaw. After placing the bone graft, Dr. Sayre-Carstairs closes the incision. Over time, your graft encourages the formation of healthy bone tissue. The new tissue strengthens your jaw, reducing the risk of additional complications
Bone Grafting Q & A
What is bone grafting?
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure designed to strengthen your jaw. During treatment, Dr. Sayre-Carstairs makes a small incision in your gums and carefully inserts a piece of natural or synthetic bone into the damaged or diseased area of your jaw.
After placing the bone graft, Dr. Sayre-Carstairs closes the incision. Over time, your graft encourages the formation of healthy bone tissue. The new tissue strengthens your jaw, reducing the risk of additional complications.
What issues can bone grafting treat?
Dr. Sayre-Carstairs uses bone grafting to treat various issues, including:
- Developmental abnormalities
- Bone damage caused by tooth decay
- Bone damage caused by trauma or an injury
- Bone injury caused by extractions
- Missing teeth and low bone volume
What are the types of bone grafting?
Dr. Sayre-Carstairs offers several types of bone grafting, including:
Socket grafts
A socket graft helps support your alveolar bone after you lose a tooth to extraction or trauma. During treatment, Dr. Sayre-Carstairs inserts a piece of bone tissue into the socket of your missing tooth.
Lateral ridge preservation grafts
If you have a narrow jaw, Dr. Sayre-Carstairs may recommend a lateral ridge preservation graft. This type of graft widens your jaw, making room for the placement of dental implants or other oral devices.
Block bone grafts
If you have a jaw abnormality, Dr. Sayre-Carstairs may recommend a block bone graft. During the procedure, she removes a piece of tissue from the back of your jaw and then uses it to improve structural defects toward the front of your mouth.
Sinus lifts
If you don’t have enough bone in your upper jaw to support dental implants or another oral device, Dr. Sayre-Carstairs may recommend a sinus lift. During a sinus lift, she makes a small incision in your gums and carefully inserts an implant into the weak or damaged portion of your jaw. Over time, the implant causes the formation of new, healthy bone tissue.
What is recovery like after bone grafting?
After bone grafting treatment, Dr. Sayre-Carstairs writes you a prescription for antibiotics and pain medication. During the first few days, it’s normal to experience swelling, bleeding, and mouth sensitivity. Take your medication as prescribed, eat only soft foods, and attend each follow-up appointment.
Bone grafts typically take 3-6 months to heal, but they may take longer. Be patient and make sure to follow Dr. Sayre-Carstairs ’ instructions carefully.
To explore the benefits of bone grafting, call the Coast Periodontics and Laser Surgery office in San Luis Obispo, California, or book online today.