Bone Augmentation

Many times due to progressive disease, infection or trauma, bone and soft tissue are lost in areas around the teeth. This process is accelerated when teeth are removed and nothing is done to replace the stimulation that a tooth root provides to preserve the jawbone. This is extremely prevalent in the front of the upper jaw where bone loss and shrinking gum tissue can be seen when we smile.

Placement of dental implants prevents the defect that would normally develop when teeth are missing.  There are also techniques to replace bone and gum tissue that has been lost.  If small defects are found following tooth removal in areas where implants are to be placed, a graft using real or synthetic bone material can be used to fill in the defect.  This bone augmentation procedure can usually be accomplished at the same time as implant placement so that no additional surgical procedures are necessary.