Dental implants may be the best solution for missing teeth in today’s day and age. But sadly, not everyone qualifies for them. People with low jawbone density have to undergo an additional treatment known as bone grafting to be able to qualify for implants. This procedure in itself has its ups and downs, especially given the various healing stages of dental bone grafting. Nevertheless, to find out what this treatment entails and how long it takes to recover completely, make sure to read this blog till the end.
What is a Dental Bone Graft?
A dental bone graft is a surgery that helps repair bone loss in the jaw. Typically for this surgery, the bone graft material is taken from the patient’s body to promote bone growth. Once the material has been collected, it is attached to the area with low bone density.
Over time, this placement causes the graft material to bond with the tissues, stimulating bone growth, which successfully lays out a strong foundation for dental implants.
Dental Bone Graft Healing Stages
While dental bone grafting might not be a complicated procedure, it does take time for your body to recuperate from its effects. Here are the top healing stages of a dental bone graft:
- Surface Healing
The very first phase of recovery lies within the initial days. It’s when the gums around the area start to heal, tissues repair themselves, and your body goes into overdrive so you can get back in shape. - Blood Clot Formation
By the first to second-week mark, your mouth will still be busy recovering from the intrusive surgery. This is when you’ll notice the repairs happen in real-time as blood clots will begin forming at the surgical site, promoting wound healing and preventing infection. - Bone Regrowth
Once bone graft material integrates with your gum tissues, new blood vessels will grow over it, protecting it under its seal. In addition to that, the graft will take around 6 to 12 weeks to transform into proper bone tissue as osseointegration sets in place. - Bone Maturation
The next healing stage is the maturation point, which occurs in the 3rd to 6th month period. It’s when the newly integrated bone graft slowly starts producing bone mass, coming into its structure and getting stronger, allowing you to work your jaw slowly. - Complete Recovery
The last phase, which takes about 6 months to a year, involves the bone graft fully transitioning and molding with your jawbone. By this stage, your jaw will have fully recovered, restoring most of your mouth’s normal functions.
One important to note is that not everyone experiences the healing stages equally. Depending on the size of the graft and your healing capacity, you might recover faster than normal, or maybe it could take you much longer to get back on track. Either way, it is crucial to stay in touch with your oral surgeon and get as much support as you can by following their given instructions.
What’s Next?
All in all, there are five main healing stages of a dental bone graft that you need to go through before finally getting a dental implant. For more information on the matter, feel free to contact Cypress Periodontics and Dental Implants at (281) 677-0222. You can also drop by our clinic and give us a visit at 27150 US-290 Ste 400, Cypress, TX 77433, United States.