Bone Grafting

Treatment for Bone Loss

Bone grafting is a treatment that oral surgeons use to retain bone structure when your teeth are no longer present and can be performed in our office in Lubbock, TX. The roots of your teeth stimulate the bone beneath your gums, preventing bone loss. When teeth are missing or removed, there is no longer anything stimulating the jaw and preventing bone loss. A bone graft can maintain or rebuild your bone structure and prepare your jaw for future dental implants.

What Are Bone Grafts?

Bone grafting procedures are common in patients who are undergoing extractions or who have been missing teeth for an extended length of time. When teeth are gone from the socket, your jaw bone loses the stimulation it needs to remain healthy, causing it to deteriorate. Jaw bone deterioration can cause more serious issues with your health, and it makes placing dental implants much more challenging. Bone grafting procedures can restore your jaw bone and allow for successful implant placement, which will then help maintain your bone density and health.

Various bone grafting procedures are available, from those designed to be placed to preserve a socket right after extraction to those designed to lift your sinuses and add more bone for upper implant placement. We are confident that when you visit our office, we can develop the treatment plan that fits your bone grafting needs.

Types of Bone Grafting Procedures

The type of bone grafting method that is suitable for you is determined by the number of teeth lost and the condition of your bone and gum tissue. Every procedure is customized to benefit the patient and produce long-lasting results. Below are the different types of bone grafting procedure available at our Lubbock, TX, office and the reasons why each procedure is typically performed.

Socket Preservation

Socket preservation is a treatment that prevents the rapid bone deterioration that typically occurs after a tooth is extracted or lost. Dr. Ioppolo is often able to perform a socket preservation procedure immediately after a tooth has been removed. This procedure is time-efficient because it saves the patient from needing a separate bone grafting procedure later when they're ready for dental implants.

Sinus Lift

The sinuses are hollow cavities located above the upper molars and behind the cheeks. The bone that separates these sinuses from your teeth is very thin. A sinus lift procedure is typically necessary to substantiate this bone to allow for successful dental implant placement. Your oral surgeon can lift your sinus and place the bone graft to create a more secure foundation for the implants.

Ridge Augmentation

Dr. Ioppolo suggests ridge augmentation for patients who have been missing teeth for an extended period. When teeth are missing, the bony ridge that keeps your teeth in place loses height and width. A ridge augmentation is meant to rebuild the bone and shape of your alveolar ridge so that dental implants have enough bone support to be placed correctly.

Major Bone Grafting

A major bone grafting treatment is most commonly necessary for a patient who has suffered a serious injury, tumor surgery, or any other facial complication that results in tooth loss or bone damage. When these medical issues arise, a major bone graft can repair the bone structure.

Bone Grafting Consultations

If you have been missing teeth for a long time and are interested in dental implants, you may be recommended for bone grafting at our office in Lubbock, TX. Bone grafting helps patients who weren’t originally candidates for dental implants restore their smile with the best possible tooth replacement solution. Dr. Robert B. Ioppolo has years of experience and training and can develop the best treatment plan to fit your bone grafting and tooth replacement needs.