Rebuilding a Strong Foundation for Dental Implants
If you’ve been told you’re not eligible for dental implants due to insufficient jawbone density or gum recession, we can help. Dr. Jay Stockdale offers supplemental procedures to enhance your oral cavity and increase your candidacy for dental implants.
At Renaissance Dental Care in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, our team provides bone grafting and sinus lift procedures to prepare patients for successful dental implant placement. Call us at (909) 297-1921 to learn more about these preparatory treatments.
What are Supplemental Procedures?
When you’ve been missing teeth for an extended period, the jawbone can gradually lose density and change shape due to the lack of stimulation from natural tooth roots. Dental implants require a strong, sturdy jawbone to fuse with and create a secure foundation.
That’s where supplemental procedures come into play. Supplemental procedures, such as bone grafting and sinus lifts, help rebuild the necessary bone structure for implant stability.
Supplemental Procedure Processes
The supplemental procedure you receive depends on the location of the missing tooth, whether on the lower or upper jaw. You don’t have to worry about pain or discomfort because, here at our Rancho Cucamonga, CA, dental office, we’ll numb the area with a local anesthetic, and we offer sedation dentistry.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is recommended when the tooth being replaced is in the lower jaw and there’s insufficient bone density to support an implant. During this procedure, Dr. Stockdale places a small amount of bone grafting material in the jawbone, stimulating the body’s natural ability to generate new bone tissue.
Over the next few months, the grafted material will gradually integrate with your existing jawbone, increasing its density and volume to accommodate the dental implant securely.
Sinus Lift
If the missing tooth is located in the upper jaw, a sinus lift procedure may be necessary. The rear upper jawbone is located close to the maxillary sinuses, which are air-filled spaces behind the cheeks. When the jawbone in this area is too thin for an implant, a sinus lift creates additional bone height by gently lifting the sinus membrane and packing bone grafting material into the space.
As the grafted material integrates with your existing bone over several months, it provides the necessary foundation for secure implant placement in the upper jaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it painful to receive a bone graft or sinus lift?
During the procedure, you’ll be under local anesthesia or IV sedation, ensuring a completely painless experience. After the surgery, you may experience some discomfort or swelling as the anesthesia wears off, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and cold compresses. If you have any medical conditions that preclude the use of certain pain relievers, our team will recommend alternative pain management options.
How long after a bone augmentation procedure can I get my dental implants?
The healing and integration process typically takes two to six months, depending on the extent of the grafting procedure and your body’s natural healing rate. During this time, the grafted material will gradually fuse with your existing jawbone, creating a strong foundation for the implant. Your implant dentist will carefully monitor the healing progress and let you know when it’s safe to proceed with implant placement, setting you up for success with long-lasting and stable results.
Are sinus lifts and bone grafting procedures safe?
Modern bone grafting techniques and materials have made these procedures extremely safe, with a very low risk of infection or graft rejection. In rare cases, the body may resorb the grafted material faster than it can integrate with the existing bone, necessitating a second grafting procedure. Our team takes every precaution to ensure the highest levels of safety and success during your bone augmentation treatment.
Will my dental insurance cover supplemental procedures?
Many dental insurance providers offer partial coverage for bone grafting and sinus lift procedures, as they are integral steps in the dental implant process. However, coverage can vary based on your specific plan. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to understand your benefits and maximize your coverage. Ask your implant dentist if their office offers flexible financing options to help make these necessary treatments more accessible.
Preparing You for Dental Implants
Supplemental procedures like bone grafting and sinus lifts are often crucial steps in maintaining the long-term success and stability of dental implants. After the healing and integration process is complete, Dr. Stockdale can proceed with the precise placement of your implant fixture, restoring your smile’s function and aesthetics.
Contact Renaissance Dental Care at (909) 297-1921 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation and learn more about preparing for dental implants with bone grafting or sinus lift procedures. We’re proud to provide services to patients in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, and surrounding areas, including Riverside, San Bernardino, and Diamond Bar, CA.