Bone Grafts


In a healthy mouth, the jawbone provides stability and support for all your teeth and ensures an attractive smile and functional bite. Losing teeth or suffering trauma to your jaw can damage your bone. Dr. William Schiro offers bone grafting surgical options to restore your jawbone's health at Michigan Maxillofacial Surgery and Implant Center in Lansing, Michigan. Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Schiro online or by phone to learn more about the benefits of bone grafting.

What is bone grafting?

When you lose teeth due to injury or extraction, your jawbone can begin to break down, reducing its structural support of your teeth.

Bone grafting is a common surgical procedure Dr. Schiro uses to provide additional support to your jawbone. The grafting procedure involves taking a piece of bone from another area of your mouth and grafting it in a new location.

Over time, your original bone fuses to the new bone graft, providing strength and support for dental implants.

Why do I need bone grafting?

Dr. Schiro may recommend a bone grafting if you’re planning to get dental implants. A grafting procedure prepares your jaw for the implantation of a titanium post when your natural jawbone isn’t inadequate to support the dental implant.

If you have gum disease, you may require a bone graft to replace areas of bone damaged by the disease. A graft procedure can help restore your chewing ability and prevent future periodontal issues.

You may also need a major bone graft if you have jaw dysfunction as the result of a traumatic injury or congenital disability. In this case, Dr. Schiro harvests a piece of bone from other areas of your body, such as your hip, to replacing missing or damaged bone.

What can I expect after a bone grafting procedure?

Following a bone grafting procedure, you need time to recover from the anesthesia before you can go home. Bring a friend or family member to drive you home and stay with you for a few hours after surgery. You can expect to experience some minor bleeding and pain in the areas around the surgical site.

Dr. Schiro always provides you with complete aftercare instructions to prevent infection and ensure your jaw heals properly. He may also prescribe a course of antibiotics as a precaution.

During your scheduled follow-up visit, Dr. Schiro asks how you’ve been doing, checks your healing process, and confirms your bone is fusing to the graft as expected.

If you plan to have dental implant surgery after a bone graft procedure, Dr. Schiro re-evaluates the condition and health of your jawbone to confirm it’s healthy enough to implant the post.

Learn more about the benefits of a bone grafting procedure by calling Dr. Schiro’s friendly office staff or using the online booking feature.

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