Is Bone Grafting Necessary When Placing Dental Implants Years After Tooth Extraction?

Update Date: 2024-06-04 Source: Network

When there are many dental problems, tooth extraction may be necessary to solve them. If it is necessary to replant teeth several years after tooth extraction, bone grafting is required to allow the implantation of artificial teeth. Here are some related information.

When to Perform Bone Grafting after Tooth Extraction

The timing of bone grafting after tooth extraction is not fixed, as it depends on the condition of the patient. Generally, bone grafting can be performed three months after tooth extraction. However, some patients may require a longer recovery period due to poor physical condition or slow recovery. In such cases, bone grafting may be delayed to six months. Therefore, it is important to consult with a dentist before bone grafting to determine the appropriate timing based on the individual's condition.

Bone Grafting and Restoration

Here are the steps of bone grafting and restoration:

Before performing implant surgery, the dentist will conduct routine oral and blood tests to assess the patient's overall condition, especially the bone quality and quantity in the area of missing teeth. This is to ensure that the patient is suitable for dental implant restoration.
The implant is surgically placed into the alveolar bone of the missing tooth area. The healing process of the alveolar bone takes approximately six months for the upper jaw and three to four months for the lower jaw. During this stage, patients can usually maintain their normal lifestyle and diet.
Once osseointegration is achieved between the implant and the surrounding bone, a small incision is made in the gums corresponding to the implant to expose the upper part of the implant. A healing abutment is then installed. The incision is usually small and does not require suturing.
After the formation of the soft tissue cuff, the dentist replaces the healing abutment with a permanent one. Then, an impression is taken to fabricate a porcelain crown, which is then placed over the implant to complete the restoration process.

Cost of Bone Grafting

Generally, bone grafting for a single tooth requires surgical treatment of the gums in the area of three teeth. The cost ranges from approximately 2000 to 3000 yuan, depending on the number of grafts, the type and size of the membrane used for coverage. If multiple adjacent teeth require simultaneous surgery, the cost increase is minimal.