Receiving a bone graft sounds big and scary, but in the hands of a skilled and gentle oral surgeon like Dr. Ghazal Mahjoubi, it’s no biggie! Dr. Ghazal’s bone graft patients enthusiastically recommend her, reporting that they felt at ease, comfortable and confident with the best oral surgeon in NYC.
If your dentist has told you that you need a bone graft or suspect you may need one, you probably have some questions. We’re here to answer those for you!
What is a Dental Bone Graft?
A dental bone graft is replacement bone that an oral surgeon places into the jaw when bone loss has occurred. It will eventually fuse with your existing bone to provide a solid foundation for restorations. Restorations are most commonly an implant and a crown, or sometimes multiple implants and a bridge or dentures.
Do I Need a Bone Graft?
If you require a bone graft, your care provider will let you know. Often, a general dentist will determine that you need a crown or other restoration. Once they examine the jawbone by looking at your x-rays, they may see that insufficient bone remains to support the restoration. That’s when they’ll recommend a bone graft.
Unless your general dentist’s office also has a surgeon on staff, they’ll give you a referral to a specialist such as the best oral surgeon in NYC, Dr. Ghazal Mahjoubi. This specialist can perform the bone graft, and later, the implant(s) to support any restoration(s) you need.
Bone Graft Material
The first thing many think of when they hear “bone graft” is that we’ll take bone from somewhere else in the patient’s body. This is often the case for non-dental bone grafting procedures. That type of bone graft is called an autograft and is less common in dental procedures.
Dr. Mahjoubi uses a material called an allograft. Allograft is donated bone material from human cadavers that has been tested and processed to make it safe and sterile. Allografts offer a low rejection rate and don’t require a second surgical site, which makes them a popular choice for dentists.
Does a Bone Graft Hurt?
It sounds worse than it is! First and foremost, you’ll receive appropriate pain management. Local anesthesia is typically sufficient. But for more extensive procedures, for patients experiencing a great deal of anxiety, or for anyone with special medical requirements, IV or general anesthesia may be in order. Not to worry, we’ll make you comfortable!
After the procedure, you will likely experience some soreness and possibly a little swelling. You should expect those symptoms to subside after three or four days. Naturally, we’ll provide pain management instructions for the days following your procedure.
Bone Graft Procedure
In a quick and straightforward procedure, Dr. Mahjoubi will:
- Create an incision in the gum tissue
- Place a small piece of bone graft material
- Add PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) made from a small sample of your own blood to promote fast healing
- Stitch up the gum tissue with a suture that will dissolve or fall out on its own within a week or so
If you’re having a tooth extracted in the area of the bone graft at the same time, the procedure is even simpler. In this case, Dr. M. can extract the tooth and place the graft in the socket in one procedure.
Implant After Bone Graft
Once the bone graft procedure is complete, you’ll need to wait several months for it to heal. In this time, it will fuse with the surrounding bone and stimulate or promote new bone growth. Once the new bone is established, Dr. Mahjoubi can place an implant in preparation for your restoration, or replacement tooth.
Make an Appointment Today!
To learn more about how the best oral surgeon in NYC can help you have a pleasant bone graft and implant experience, schedule a consultation today with Dr. Ghazal Mahjoubi!
