Dental bone grafting is a technique used to help regenerate bone for dental implant. A dental implant surgery is the placement of an artificial tooth root into the jaw so as to hold the replacement tooth or bridge in place. These implants function the same way our natural teeth function. Bone grafting may be required during a dental implant surgery when a patient does not have enough healthy and natural bones in his mouth to support the dental implants. Several factors need to be considered when getting a dental bone graft and if not taken care properly, you may get a bone graft infection. Read on further to find out what you should do if your dental bone graft gets infected.
How do Dental Bone Grafts Work?Not everyone who is doing the dental implant would require a bone grafting procedure. However if you do require one, the most important aspect of the bone grafting procedure is the type of bone grafting material used. The ideal choice for bone grafting material comes from the patient himself, where the dentist will begin by removing a piece of bone from another part of the patient’s jaw or body and then transplanting it into the jawbone. However, there are also other alternatives available today that do not require patients to take his own bone and are just as successful. They include obtaining bone from a cadaver source or animal source to replace the missing bone.
The success rate for bone grafting procedure is extremely high. However, like any other surgery, there are still chances of failure in this procedure. There is a higher risk for bone graft failure in patients with existing medical conditions or are smokers. The good news is your dentist will still be able to remove and replace the failed bone graft with a second bone graft procedure, once the surgical area is healed.
How do a Dental Bone Graft get Infected?The 3 main causes that lead to bone grafting infection include the usage of infected dental tools during the bone grafting procedure, the usage of infected bone grafting material, and poor post-operative follow-up care. Your dentist should always make sure to sterilize all dental tools before the procedure. Infection caused by donated bone rarely occurs but is still possible. The most common cause of bone grafting infection is the patient’s poor post-operative oral care routine. Patients must make sure to follow their dentist’s instructions to prevent infection.
How to Manage Your Bone Grafting SurgeryAfter your bone grafting surgery, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. Make sure to take and finish the antibiotics completely as directed. Bone grafting surgeries are mostly pain-free however, in some cases, pain medication can be given as well if you experience pain. If you experience any form of negative reactions or rashes, stop the medication immediately and consult your dentist. At Guerrino Dentistry, we have a team of experienced and skillful dentists that are always ready to help you. To learn more about bone grafting procedure and how to prevent bone grafting infection, schedule schedule an appointment with us now!
