Talking about surgery – especially in your mouth – is hardly a pleasant topic. Even if the end result of the surgery is a good thing, it’s uncomfortable to imagine going under anesthetic for hours while people with sharp objects poke around in your mouth.
But we feel it’s important for our patients to know as much as possible about oral surgery, and the role it can play in oral health. To start that off, we’ll discuss bone grafts – one of the lesser-known procedures and oral surgeon is trained to perform.
What is a bone graft?
A bone graft is a procedure performed by a highly-trained oral surgeon like Dr. Craig Chlebicki at Brentcourt Dental Group in Brentwood, California. All that happens is that a piece of bone is taken from elsewhere in your body and planted into your jaw to grow. This process makes the jaw stronger, and can help solve a multitude of different problems.
Why would I need one?
A bone graft is used to treat decay caused by gum disease or other oral health issues. It’s also used to strengthen your jaw bone in preparation for getting a dental implant. If you’ve had to lost teeth due to infection, the jaw bone can be left weakened. A bone graft is a last-resort option for restoring bone health in and around your mouth.
Are they common?
It’s not common to need a bone graft unless you have bad oral health to begin with. For most patients, it’s a last-resort type option. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call us today at 925-634-3503.