Bone Grafting
A bone graft is a surgical procedure whereby bone tissue is transplanted to fix problems with the bones. This procedure is beneficial to patients who have experienced bone damage due to trauma, gum disease or decay. It is also useful for growing bones around a dental implant where the bone is insufficient. The bone that is used in a bone graft could come from your body, a donor, or it could be entirely man-made.
Bone grafting may also be used to maintain bone structure after tooth extraction. Restoring and maintaining facial bone structure is important for several reasons. Many dental procedures, such as dental implant placement, require that the bone be as close to its original dimension and position as possible, for optimal results. Also, the jaw and other facial bones support the skin and muscle that are responsible for our outward cosmetic appearance. Without the support of the underlying bone, our faces can look prematurely aged.