Get Dental Implant Ready with Our Vero Beach Dentist
At Vero Dental Spa, our skilled dental team is dedicated to providing comprehensive dental implant services, including advanced procedures like bone grafting and soft tissue augmentation. These essential treatments are designed to ensure the long-term success of dental implants by enhancing the foundation for your new teeth. If you have been told that you’re not an ideal candidate for dental implants due to bone loss or gum tissue deficiencies, these procedures can significantly improve your eligibility for implants and lead to a healthier, more beautiful smile.
Are you ready to get started? Contact our dentist in Vero Beach today by calling (772) 778-5550 to schedule a consultation.
Why Get These Supplemental Procedures?
Bone grafting and soft tissue augmentation have become oral surgeries during the last decade. This is mainly due to the rising popularity of dental implants to replace extracted or missing teeth.
When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone naturally begins to shrink, becoming reabsorbed back into the body. This physiological response is completely unavoidable and can make restorative dentistry challenging to undertake.
The gums can also begin to shrink, and sometimes there won’t be enough quality soft tissue in the mouth for implants to be placed. Bone grafting and soft tissue augmentation allow dentists to place dental implants and restore the functionality and appearance of your smile.
What Is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure used to rebuild or repair bone tissue in areas where bone density has diminished, often due to tooth loss, gum disease, or aging. For dental implants to be successful, they need a strong foundation in the jawbone. If the bone is too thin or too soft, it may not be able to support the implant properly. Bone grafting helps to regenerate lost bone tissue, creating a solid base for dental implants.
Common Causes of Bone Loss in the Jaw
- Tooth Loss: When a tooth is extracted or lost, the surrounding bone begins to shrink over time.
- Periodontal Disease: Gum disease can damage both the soft and hard tissues that support the teeth, leading to bone loss.
- Injury or Trauma: Facial injuries can result in the loss of both teeth and bone tissue.
- Developmental Conditions: Some individuals are born with insufficient bone mass to support dental implants.
Types of Bone Grafting Materials
There are several types of bone grafting materials used, depending on the patient’s unique needs and preferences. Each material is designed to stimulate the body’s natural bone regeneration process.
- Autografts: Bone tissue harvested from another part of your own body, often from the chin, jaw, or hip. This option has the highest success rate for osseointegration, as the body readily accepts its own tissue.
- Allografts: Bone tissue sourced from a human donor, typically from a tissue bank. These grafts are safe and effective for promoting bone growth.
- Xenografts: Bone tissue from animal sources, commonly bovine. These materials are treated to make them biocompatible and are widely used for dental procedures.
- Synthetic Bone Grafts: Man-made bone materials that promote bone regeneration. These grafts can be made from materials like calcium phosphate or hydroxyapatite.
Bone Graft Procedure
At Vero Dental Spa, the dental bone grafting procedure is performed with precision and care. The treatment involves the following steps:
- Initial Consultation: During your first visit, our dentist in Vero Beach will conduct a comprehensive examination, including X-rays and possibly 3D imaging, to assess the condition of your jawbone.
- Anesthesia: The dental bone grafting procedure is typically done under local anesthesia, though dental sedation options are available for patients who experience dental anxiety.
- Bone Graft Placement: The chosen bone graft material is surgically placed into the area where bone loss has occurred.
- Healing Period: Over several months, the grafted material will fuse with your natural bone, encouraging the growth of new bone tissue.
- Implant Placement: Once sufficient bone density has been restored, dental implants can be placed.
What Is Soft Tissue Augmentation?
Soft tissue augmentation, also known as gum grafting or gum augmentation, is a procedure used to restore and improve the quality of the gum tissue around dental implants or teeth. Healthy gum tissue is crucial for both the aesthetics and function of your smile. In some cases, patients may lack enough gum tissue to support the placement of dental implants or may suffer from gum recession due to gum disease or other factors.
Benefits of Soft Tissue Augmentation
- Enhanced Aesthetics: Receding gums can expose the roots of teeth or the edges of implants, which can detract from the natural appearance of your smile.
- Improved Implant Stability: Strong, healthy gums help hold dental implants in place and protect them from damage or infection.
- Protection from Gum Disease: Adequate gum tissue creates a barrier against bacteria, reducing the risk of peri-implantitis, an infection that can threaten implant success.
Soft Tissue Augmentation Procedure
The soft tissue augmentation procedure at Vero Dental Spa is performed with meticulous attention to detail to ensure optimal results. Here’s what to expect:
- Initial Consultation: During the consultation, your gums will be evaluated, and any necessary imaging will be done to assess the extent of tissue loss.
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is used to numb the treatment area, ensuring your comfort throughout the procedure.
- Graft Placement: The gum graft material is carefully placed and sutured into position.
- Healing Period: Over the next few weeks, the graft will fuse with the existing gum tissue, restoring volume and health to the gums.
- Follow-Up Care: A follow-up visit will be scheduled to monitor healing and ensure that the graft is integrating properly.
Benefits of Bone Grafting and Soft Tissue Augmentation for Dental Implants
A dental bone graft and soft tissue augmentation can significantly improve the success rate of dental implants, particularly for patients who have experienced bone loss or gum recession. The benefits of these procedures include:
Increased Implant Success Rate: By restoring bone and gum tissue, these procedures create a stable foundation for implants.
Improved Aesthetics: Grafted bone and soft tissue helps maintain the natural contours of your face and gums, enhancing your smile’s appearance.
Reduced Risk of Complications: Both bone and soft tissue grafts protect against complications like implant failure, infection, and gum recession.
Longevity of Implants: With a strong foundation of bone and healthy gums, dental implants are more likely to last for decades.
To learn more, contact our dentist in Vero Beach today at (772) 778-5550.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to heal after bone grafting?
The healing process for bone grafting can take several months, typically between 3 and 6 months, depending on the extent of the graft and your body’s healing response.
Will my insurance cover bone grafting or soft tissue augmentation?
Coverage for these procedures varies depending on your insurance plan. We recommend contacting your provider to determine what is covered under your plan.
Choose Vero Dental Spa for Bone Grafts and Soft Tissue Augmentation
At our dental office in Vero Beach, we complete all the steps for your implant treatment conveniently under one roof. Often, implant providers will offload bone graft procedures to specialists, but we’re certified and experienced in completing them. You no longer have to travel elsewhere for advanced dental work. For more information on bone grafting and tissue augmentation, make an appointment at our modern, comfortable office. A member of our team will be happy to assist you!
Contact our Vero Beach dentist today at (772) 778-5550.
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3036 20th St,
Vero Beach, FL 32960- (772) 778-5550
Working hours
- Monday: 8am - 5pm
- Tuesday: 8am - 5pm
- Wednesday: 8am - 5pm
- Thursday: 8am - 5pm
- Friday: 8am - 1pm
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed