Overview
The strength of your jawbone is key to your general oral health. If your jawbone is weakened from missing teeth, periodontal (gum) disease, or physical trauma, you may need to have a bone graft so that your jaw can properly support both dental implants and your natural teeth. Bone grafting helps to strengthen and rebuild your jawbone by adding bone tissue from your own body or another source in areas of the jaw where bone has been lost. At Capital District Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, this surgery is often performed to prepare the jaw before implant surgery and help to ensure a successful tooth replacement outcome. Bone grafting can also serve to restore oral function and replenish natural contours of the face and jaw. If bone loss is impacting your dental wellness, we invite you to book an appointment with board-certified oral surgeons Drs. Stephen DeMarco, Diego Miron, and Luis Delgado at our Albany, NY practice locations to learn more about surgical bone grafts.
Best Candidates
You may be a candidate for a bone graft if you have lost bone in your jaw from advanced gum disease, tooth loss, or an oral or facial injury. When tooth loss occurs, the surrounding bone begins to atrophy, or deteriorate, which can make replacing such teeth with dental implants a challenge. A bone graft strengthens and prepares the jaw for a dental implant by replenishing lost bone to the volume necessary for proper implant support. Bone grafting can also help to restore sunken facial features and contours of the jaw that diminish when the underlying bone is lost.
What To Expect
The exact process of bone grafting surgery will depend on where the graft is sourced and how much grafting is needed. At our Albany, NY surgical centers, we use the latest in 3D cone beam imaging to plan and carry out your bone grafting procedure. Capital District Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons offers the following bone grafting techniques:
Autografts: With this approach, your bone graft tissue samples may be removed from an area of your body, such as the hip, chin, or shin.
Allografts: These bone grafting techniques utilize human bone from a donor source, such as a bone bank.
Xenografts: Xenografts use bone taken from an animal, typically a bovine.
Alloplasts: This bone grafting technique incorporates synthetic bone samples derived from biocompatible materials.
Bone grafting is performed using local anesthesia and often combined with one of our sedation options to ensure your comfort. When your bone graft is ready, we will make an incision in the gums to expose the bone. Your bone graft will be affixed to your existing bone along with proteins and collagen that encourage bone growth. The gum tissue will be sutured closed and instructions for care will be provided by our team.
Capital District Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Reviews
Everyone at the office was friendly, kind and instantly made me feel safe/not worried about the procedure. I was able to make an appointment with ease in a very timely fashion. My issue was treated in less than 24 hours. I highly recommend this practice! Every part of my experience was wonderful
Yesterday I visited the office for the final procedure of my implant, "journey." I arrived early, took a seat in the waiting area and my name was called almost immediately. I was escorted to the procedure room by a bright, cheerful nurse, who explained what would be happening this visit. I mentioned that I am an anxious person and I was calmed by their understanding of my anxiety, Their confidence assured me that this procedure would get done, that day. As a person who has struggled with anxiety and suffered from crippling panic attacks for decades, it was significant to feel that confidence from them. I had a very real concern that I would have a panic attack which would prevent the completion of the procedure that visit. As I reclined in the procedure room a second nurse, just as warm and upbeat as the first, entered the room, as well as the Doctor, and the procedure commenced. I can only estimate, heaven knows I'm no oral surgeon, that roughly 90% through the procedure, I felt my anxiety take hold and take over my body. Panic attacks are pretty paralyzing by nature and mine happen to be extremely physical. First I feel light headed, then all color leaves my face, then I break out in a full body sweat, followed by visible chills. The instant the color left my face, the doctor and nurses took action. The procedure was stopped. I was feeling helpless, scared, embarrassed, and guilty that I was taking time from these individuals and waiting patients. Then the swift, expert caregiving began. An ice pack was applied to the back of my neck, then another was applied to my forehead. (it's worth mentioning, an ice pack without a hand to hold it rarely stays. So I was single handedly monopolizing one nurse, who was kind enough to hold the ice pack against my head) I was given constant compassionate reassurance by the nurses and doctor that everything was alright. I was gently instructed to breathe slowly through my nose. My condition was not improving significantly, so a nurse handed me a cup of apple juice and encouraged me to sip. Slowly I sat up and not long after I felt my physically symptomatic panic take over, again. I gave only the slightest indication I was going down-hill and one of the two nurses reclined the chair I was in again. An I.V. was quickly and skillfully placed and fluids were administered. At this point I had two ice packs (one nurses' hand), oxygen and an I.V. A precarious position to be in for an individual deep into a panic attack. Some time passed and I was soothed by the cool collected casual conversation of the two attending nurses. The doctor said that he only had one quick thing to do before my procedure was completed, and I was happy to get that quick step over and done right then. The doctor took maybe 30 seconds to complete that last step and then that was done. Unfortunately, my anxiety was not. There was nothing more that could be done for my body to improve my condition. I needed something that cannot be packaged or sterilized, something that brings comfort to the soul... and that something was being in the presence of two of the most warm, caring, down to earth, hilarious, professional women I've ever had the pleasure of almost losing consciousness around. Brittany and Kaylee were a dream. Their lighthearted conversation distracted my anxious brain and their attentiveness to my condition made me feel safe. At no point did I feel rushed or that I was an inconvenience of any kind, something that, sadly, is incredibly rare in a medical practice. These two women are incredible, compassionate caregivers. They are a joy to be around. True treasures. I cannot possibly express my gratitude for the care and reassurance that I received from Brittany and Kaylee, but I thought I'd do my best to try.
Absolutely 100% ! A plus. 4.0. On every level. Dr. Diego Miron and associate professionals and complete Staff! And a big thank you for my Dentist Dr Walsh #1 for the referral!
The entire experience was excellent, all staff and Dr Delgado were the most professional I've ever met. They are the best!
Very friendly staff. Strongly recommended 👍👍👍
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4.9
Average Rating
Recovery
A prescription for pain medication may be given following your bone grafting visit to minimize any inflammation or discomfort after the procedure. Over the next six or more months, the graft will bond with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. During this time, it is crucial to maintain a regular home oral care routine with flossing and brushing along with any other recommendations suggested by our surgical team. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled at Capital District Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons so that our specialists can check your progress and determine when your mouth is ready for dental implants.
Insurance Coverage
Bone grafting may be a benefit covered under your insurance plan. Before beginning your procedure, our business staff will review your coverage and determine if there will be any out-of-pocket cost. To make your treatment as affordable as possible, Capital District Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons gladly accepts a range of easy payment options and can provide information on financing your care through flexible payment plans.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting can strengthen your jawbone to provide the support your natural teeth and dental implants need for proper function. Our board-certified experts at Capital District Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons routinely perform bone grafting to prepare for successful dental implant placement. If bone loss has impacted your jaw, get in touch with our Albany, NY team today and schedule a consultation to learn about how bone grafting can bring health, appearance, and stability back to your smile.