Dental Implants & Bone Grafting in Naples, FL

Bone augmentation can be performed using various methods, but regardless of method, the primary purpose of the procedure is to increase or reinforce bone density in the jawbone.

Bone loss in the jaw is commonly caused by losing a tooth and not properly treating it. Within the first year of losing a tooth, you may lose up to 25% of the bone density in that area. This problem continues to worsen over time because teeth and their roots provide stimulation to the jawbone, which signals the brain that the jaw is fulfilling its primary purpose. When teeth fall out, the stimulation is reduced or eliminated completely. As a result, the body begins to take calcium from the jaw for use elsewhere. If you know that you are going to lose a tooth, it is important to promptly schedule an appointment to be evaluated for a replacement as certain procedures can prevent or limit the amount of bone loss. Other reasons for a loss of bone density include periodontal (gum) disease, developmental defects, injury, decay, and infections.

If you have experienced bone loss, your jawbone may not be thick enough to support a dental implant. To replace missing teeth with dental implants, a titanium screw will be surgically placed under your gums and anchored to your jawbone. In order for this to be successful, your jawbone must be dense enough to support the post. Think of it like building a piece of furniture - the wood must be thick enough for the screw to fully secure it. If your jawbone is not dense enough, bone grafting can increase its density and provide a secure fit for the titanium post.

The grafting material comes in a variety of different forms, including powders, granules, or gels that can be inserted via syringe. This material can come from an animal, a human, or even your own body. Once obtained, the grafting material is processed by a laboratory to ensure that it is clean and sterile.

​​​​​​​The procedure itself involves making a small incision in the gums and then adding grafting material to the bones through the incision. The grafting material is composed of minerals that trigger your body to grow new bone. Over time, this will cause your body to deposit and build bone by itself! Once the bone graft has been placed, it is usually covered with a thin membrane that acts as a framework for new growth.

After your bone grafting procedure, it's common to experience soreness. To alleviate this, you can take pain medication and use ice packs. Additionally, you'll receive antibiotics and an antibacterial mouthwash to prevent infection. It's crucial to avoid putting pressure on the area, so you'll need to be mindful of your diet for several weeks. The complete process can take six to nine months since your body needs time to build new bone around the grafting material or bone transfer. Although it's a slower process, your dental implants will be far more secure once you've fully healed.

Yes. We also offer Zygomatic Dental Implants, which are attached to the cheekbone rather than the jaw. They can be a great option for patients seeking full-mouth dental implants who lack sufficient bone density to support normal All-On-4 implants.

Zygomatic implants are chosen when there's insufficient bone for conventional dental implants and bone grafts are too risky. These implants eliminate the need for grafts by anchoring to the cheekbone instead, reducing overall treatment cost and healing time.