For patients with severe gum disease, it’s not uncommon to lose some jawbone tissue. Because the jawbone is what holds teeth in place inside the mouth, it’s important to restore that tissue. This is particularly the case if the patient has lost teeth and wants to replace them with dental implants. An implant consists of a metal rod that is inserted into the jawbone. After the rod fuses with the bone tissue, an artificial tooth is affixed to the top of the implant. The result is a permanent tooth replacement that looks and functions just like a natural tooth. Although implants are often an excellent way to replace missing teeth, healthy bone tissue is needed to hold the implant. If the jawbone is not strong enough, Dr. Mobley may recommend bone grafting to strengthen the jawbone. Bone grafting is a remarkable advancement in dental technology, and is one of the services that Dr. Mobley offers to her patients in Austin Westlake and surrounding areas.
About the Procedure
A bone grafting procedure begins with Dr. Mobley removing any unhealthy gum tissue, as well as plaque and tartar from the patient’s teeth. Next, Dr. Mobley grafts new, healthy bone tissue onto the jawbone. Over a period of several months, the new tissue bonds to the existing natural jawbone, and any other dental procedures – such as dental implants – can be performed.
There are several possible sources for healthy bone tissue, including the following:
- Bone is removed from another part of the patient’s body (usually the hip)
- Artificial bone tissue may be used
- If available, cadaver bone works well
- Animal bone (typically from a cow) is another possibility
Contact Us Today
To find out more about our dental services, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Megan Mobley, contact our Austin, TX office today.
