Your teeth rely on a strong foundation to perform their essential tasks—biting, chewing, and speaking. Over time, however, factors like gum disease and bone loss can compromise this foundation. If teeth are lost and left unreplaced, the surrounding jawbone can begin to shrink, a process known as bone resorption. This can affect your facial appearance and make it difficult to install dental implants in the future.
When Bone Loss Affects Your Smile
At Desert Pearl Dentistry, we understand the importance of having a solid foundation for dental implants. When bone loss has occurred, we offer onlay grafts as an effective solution to restore the jawbone and provide a sturdy base for implants.
What is an Onlay Graft?
Onlay grafts involve transferring healthy bone from another part of your body to the area of your jaw that requires additional support. Common donor sites for this bone include the chin or other areas of your jaw. The added bone then fuses with your existing jawbone over time, creating a strong foundation for implants or other dental treatments.
In cases where a patient cannot use their own bone, we also use sanitized donor bone from cadavers, animal sources, or biocompatible synthetic materials. These alternatives are helpful for those who don’t have a good donor site or prefer not to use their own bone.
Why Onlay Grafts Are Important
By using onlay grafts, we can restore both the function and appearance of your jaw. Bone grafting is an essential step in ensuring your ability to receive dental implants, maintaining your oral health, and preserving your facial structure.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re experiencing bone loss and are concerned about your ability to receive dental implants, Desert Pearl Dentistry can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss how onlay grafts can benefit you.
