At Advanced Dentistry in Scottsdale, AZ, our accessible care ensures that you get the dental attention you need. Thanks to our highly accomplished dentists’ experience and education, you can expect to receive the very best treatment for your needs.
If you are an adult over 50, you may have noticed that your gums have begun to recede. This is a common occurrence that our specialists are skilled in treating with gum grafting.
If you have lost a tooth, your bone surrounding the area where the tooth once was is likely to experience resorption. This is the natural process of your jawbone, absorbing back into your body. Unfortunately, this can make it difficult to get dental implants should you decide to replace your missing tooth.
The good news is that our dentists can perform a bone graft and rebuild your jawbone so that it is capable of supporting a dental implant. If you have experienced either of these dental issues, don’t delay in calling Advanced Dentistry so we can provide the care you need for a healthier smile.
What Is Gum Grafting?
Our dentists perform gum grafts to repair the area of your gums that needs to be reshaped. In some cases, gum grafts are needed to protect an exposed root.
When your gums require a graft, our specialists take soft tissue from the roof of your mouth. This tissue is then stitched to your gums, safely covering your tooth root. The roof of your mouth is stitched in the area that the soft tissue was removed to ensure proper healing.
Gum grafts can take some time to heal. You may need to allow for 6 to 12 months for adequate healing to take place.
What Is Bone Grafting?
Similar to gum grafting, bone grafting is performed when the bone has been lost following tooth loss. The best bone to use in a graft is bone from your own body. This helps to restore the area in your jaw that needs to be rebuilt. However, bone can also be harvested from human or animal donors. In some cases, synthetic bone can be used, as well.
When sufficient bone is supplied, our specialists prepare you for surgery and then drill tiny holes in the existing bone. This results in bleeding so that optimal healing takes place. Titanium screws are then used to secure the bone in place.
Patients who undergo a bone graft will need to allow between 6 and 12 months to heal from their surgery.