Everything You Need to Know About Dental Bone Grafting

Receiving a jawbone graft in Toronto reinforces the jaw where the bone has degraded or been damaged. This is used to stabilize implants, which require drilling into the jawbone. If the jawbone is damaged during an implant procedure, the drilling could further deteriorate the bone and cause pain or discomfort as a result.

Jawbone graft surgery uses bone from another area of your body. This bone is fused to the existing jawbone using surgical methods. However, not all dental clinics use your bones. Some prefer a synthetic material to reduce discomfort and speed up healing time.

Interested in learning more about dental bone grafting? Here’s everything you need to know before deciding if it’s the treatment for you.

The Bone Graft Process

Bone grafting surgery is a very technical procedure. Before your dentist begins, your vital signs will be checked, and anesthesia applied. Once the anesthesia takes effect, your dentist will sanitize the surgical site. 

An incision is made in the gum. This is normally made as small as possible so as not to disrupt or damage more tissue than necessary. This incision is to give your dentist access to the bone underneath where the graft will take place. 

Synthetic or natural bone is secured between the gap in your bone. The adhesive is usually dissolvable, although some dentists use screws. Once complete, the incision is stitched close to heal.

Does a jawbone graft procedure hurt?

The procedure itself shouldn’t have any impact on your pain threshold because you will be sedated. Once the procedure is complete, however, you will feel discomfort and might experience some pain.

Most patients who undergo dental bone grafting don’t consider it an intense surgical experience, but you can expect to be off work for a few days. Your gums and teeth will be tender following the surgery, you may experience loss of appetite, and there will likely be facial bruising.

Dentists usually recommend taking over-the-counter pain medicine. However, they may prescribe something stronger for a short period of time, depending on your experience and pain level.

Recovering From the Graft

Although healing isn’t extremely painful, it takes time. Your dentist will likely recommend alternating ice and heat packs on your jaw to reduce pain and swelling. You should also sleep with your head elevated to keep blood from rushing to the surgical site.

When you leave the dental clinic, you will have gauze around the incisions. You will receive instructions on how and when to change them (usually within 24 hours). Finally, stick to soft foods without too much salt or spice, as these ingredients may disrupt the healing process.

How do you know if you are a good candidate for a jawbone graft in Toronto?

Not everybody is a good candidate for dental bone grafting. In fact, most people will never require this surgery. However, you may have a case for the procedure if you suffer from:

• Decay or gum disease: If your gums or teeth have caused deterioration to your jaw, then bone grafting might be used to increase the stability of your jawbone.
• Bone loss or facial damage: If your jaw has been damaged, or you experience bone deterioration due to deficiencies, your physician may recommend a jawbone graft.
• Missing teeth: If you are missing teeth and need implants, but your dentist is nervous about the current condition of your jawbone, a jawbone graft might be for you.

People who receive jawbone graft surgery require it for many reasons, including hygiene, deficiencies, disease, age, and genetics. Your dentist will help you decide if you’re a good candidate for the procedure.

The Cost of Dental Bone Grafting

Dental bone grafting depends on the amount of work needed to repair the jawbone. In cases where minimal bone replacement is required, you could pay as low as $400, especially if the grafting material is synthetic. If you’re receiving bone from your own body, and require extensive work to repair the jawbone, however, you can expect to pay somewhere around $2,000.

Depending on your reason for a jawbone graft, your insurance company may help cover part of the costs. It is not typically included with standard health plans, though, so be sure to check before you register.

Getting Ready for Your Graft

Before receiving a jawbone graft in Toronto, it helps to have a chat with your dentist, so you know what to expect. At Bloor West Smiles Dental, we are always in communication with our patients, ensuring everybody knows what’s happening and when. You should also tell your dentist of any health conditions or medication you are currently taking in case there is a conflict with the surgery.

Once you decide bone graft surgery is the right step for you, arrange a ride home from the surgery with somebody you trust. Most patients feel the effects of sedation for a few hours afterward.

The day before surgery, you should stop eating and drinking (apart from water) for 12 hours before you arrive at the clinic. Depending on your medical history, your dentist may recommend that you don’t take certain medications until after the procedure, especially if the medication thins the blood.

Potential Risks and Concerns

Most jawbone grafts go smoothly with little to report other than some swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Many say it resembles the pain following a wisdom tooth extraction.

In rare cases, more extreme risks include:

• Damage to facial nerves
• Clotting of the blood
• Bone graft rejection
• Infection
• Complications related to anesthesia

Discuss concerns and potential side effects with your dentist before deciding on the surgery. Your dentist can speak to their success rate and experience with such risks to ease your mind.

Booking a Jawbone Graft in Toronto

If you are missing teeth, or require jawbone grafting for other reasons, consult your dentist as early as possible. Due to constraints related to COVID-19, many clinics are experiencing wait times for surgical procedures. At Bloor West Smiles Dental, we strive to ensure every patient receives quick and thorough care. We understand how important it is to be treated in a timely manner, especially when your teeth and jaw are at stake.

For more information on jawbone graft procedures in Toronto, we invite you to contact Bloor West Smiles Dental today. Our experienced dentists are always happy to answer questions and walk you through the process. Call 1-647-371-1407 or visit us online today.