Dental Bone Augmentation in Gurnee, Deerfield, and Libertyville, IL
SERVING LAKE COUNTY & COOK COUNTY
Missing teeth can impact not only your ability to chew comfortably but also the aesthetics of your smile. NorthShore Center for Oral & Facial Surgery and Implantology offers advanced bone grafting procedures to restore your jawbone and create a strong foundation for dental implants.
Led by experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Drs. Walter Tatch, Yost Smith, & Salvatore Termini, our team utilizes the latest techniques and materials to ensure optimal outcomes. Contact us at 847-623-5915 to explore your bone grafting options for a healthy, confident smile.
Bone augmentation, also known as bone grafting, is a dental procedure that adds volume and density to your jawbone. This is often necessary when missing teeth have led to jawbone deterioration, making it difficult or impossible to place dental implants.
There are several benefits to bone grafting procedures, such as:
- Stronger Foundation for Implants: Dental implants rely on a healthy jawbone for secure placement and long-term success. Bone augmentation creates a stable base for implants, ensuring they function optimally for chewing and speaking.
- Improved Aesthetics: Jawbone loss can lead to a sunken facial appearance. Bone augmentation helps restore facial structure and support surrounding tissues, resulting in a more youthful and natural-looking smile.
- Enhanced Functionality: A strong jawbone allows for proper chewing and biting force. Bone augmentation can improve your ability to eat comfortably and efficiently.
- Preserve Bone Health: Missing teeth contribute to jawbone resorption. Bone augmentation helps prevent further bone loss and maintain a healthy jawbone structure.
What Can Bone Augmentation Correct?
Bone augmentation addresses various dental concerns caused by jawbone loss:
- Placement of Dental Implants: When your jawbone lacks sufficient volume or density for implant placement, bone augmentation creates a suitable foundation for successful implantation.
Ridge Augmentation: After tooth extraction, the jawbone ridge can shrink over time. Bone augmentation restores the ridge width and height, allowing for proper implant placement and natural-looking restorations.
Sinus Lift Procedure: In the upper jaw, the sinus cavity can expand after tooth loss. A sinus lift procedure uses bone augmentation to elevate the sinus floor and create space for dental implants.
Jaw Defects: Bone augmentation can correct jaw defects caused by injury, developmental issues, or tumor removal, allowing for optimal dental function and aesthetics.
The Bone Grafting Procedure
- Consultation and Planning
The first step involves a thorough consultation with your oral and maxillofacial surgeon. They will examine your jawbone, discuss your dental goals, and determine the best type and amount of bone graft material needed. Imaging scans like X-rays or CT scans will be taken to assess your jawbone anatomy and plan the surgical approach. - Preparation for Surgery
Depending on the complexity of the procedure, you may receive local anesthesia (numbing the surgical area) or general anesthesia (putting you to sleep). Antibiotics may be prescribed beforehand to prevent infection. - The Bone Grafting Surgery
The surgeon will make a small incision in your gum tissue to access the jawbone. Bone grafting material, which can be your own bone, donated bone, or synthetic materials, will be placed on or within the jawbone defect. Membranes or other barriers may be used to promote bone growth and protect the graft. The incision will then be sutured (stitched) closed.
Aftercare for Bone Augmentation
Following a bone graft procedure, it’s best to follow certain guidelines to ensure a successful outcome, including:
- Minimize Swelling and Discomfort: Apply ice packs for the first 48 hours and follow a soft diet to manage initial swelling and discomfort.
Maintain Oral Hygiene: Gently brush and rinse with a saltwater solution (starting 3 days after surgery) to prevent infection.
Promote Healing: Get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activity for a few days. Take all prescribed medications as directed.
Follow-Up Appointments: Attend scheduled checkups with your doctor to monitor healing and address any concerns.
Healthy Habits: Avoid smoking and alcohol for optimal healing. Use warm compresses after the initial swelling subsides.
At NorthShore Center, we understand that bone grafting can be an investment in your oral health and smile. To help make treatment accessible, we offer several convenient financing options:
- Major Credit Cards: We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover for your convenience.
- Third-Party Financing: We partner with trusted lenders like LendingClub and CareCredit to offer flexible financing plans that fit your budget. Discuss these options with our financial coordinator to explore what works best for you.
- Insurance Coverage: We will work with your insurance company to maximize your coverage. Most insurance companies respond within four to six weeks. Please inform us if your statement doesn’t reflect the insurance payment within that timeframe.
We value open communication and aim to work with you. While full payment is preferred upfront, we can discuss a monthly payment plan before your procedure. Please contact our financial coordinator to explore your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does bone grafting take to heal?
Bone grafting healing can vary depending on the complexity of the procedure, the type of bone used, and your healing rate. In general, it can take anywhere from two weeks to several months for the initial healing to occur. However, complete bone regeneration and maturation can take up to one year or longer.
Does bone grafting hurt?
Bone grafting procedures are generally painless. While it’s normal to experience mild discomfort afterward, your oral surgeon will prescribe medication to manage any pain you may experience.
How long does bone grafting take?
The length of the bone grafting procedure itself depends on the complexity of the case. It can range from a relatively quick in-office procedure to a longer surgery requiring general anesthesia.
Is there an age limit for bone grafting procedures?
There isn’t a strict age limit for bone grafting procedures. However, as with any surgery, your oral surgeon will consider your overall health and jawbone density to determine if you’re a good candidate. Generally, healthy patients of all ages can undergo dental bone grafting.
Restore Your Jawbone Health with Bone Augmentation Surgery
Don’t let jawbone loss prevent you from achieving a healthy and beautiful smile. At NorthShore Center for Oral & Facial Surgery and Implantology, conveniently located near Deerfield, Gurnee, and Libertyville, Illinois, we offer comprehensive bone grafting solutions to restore your jawbone and support successful dental implants.
Contact NorthShore Center at 847-623-5915 to schedule a consultation and discuss your bone grafting options. We look forward to helping you rebuild your smile and regain your confidence.
DENTAL BONE GRAFT TO RESTORE PROPER FUNCTIONING & DETERIORATION
Once a tooth has been lost or extracted, the jawbone will lose 30-60% of its volume within the first six months. To help prevent this from happening, tooth socket preservation, dental bone grafts, and dental implants may also be performed as part of the treatment process. Bone loss can result in numerous oral health issues and physical changes to the structure of your face, which can result in gum disease, tooth decay increased tooth sensitivity, and significant changes to the overall functionality of your teeth and the aesthetic appearance of your face.
A bone grafting procedure is an effective method of restoring jawbone tissue to restore proper functioning and is commonly performed as part of the dental implant process. If jawbone deterioration has occurred to the point that a dental implant cannot be adequately supported, a small incision is made to gain access to the site where the bone graft is then placed. Once the bone graft is in the proper position, a membrane is placed over the graft (GTR) to facilitate the bone repair process, and the area is stitched shut. Once the graft has facilitated the regeneration of bone tissue and is fully integrated, there will be enough jawbone material to support a dental implant.
At NorthShore Center for Oral and Facial Surgery, every patient who walks through our door will receive VIP Treatment delivered by dedicated professionals who are leaders in their fields and ready to provide you with personalized care using the most cutting-edge dental technology for bone and soft tissue regeneration available. For over two decades, we have proudly provided thousands of patients in the Lake and Cook County area with dental implant and oral surgery services, including oral surgery, All on X full mouth rehabilitation, and facial reconstructive surgery. To schedule an appointment for a dental bone graft, or if you have questions about the dental bone graft and dental implant process, contact us today at (847) 623-5915.