Dental Implants and Bone Grafting | Restorative Dentistry in Alexandria VA

What to Expect From Dental Implants

Here is a description of what you can expect during your visit to receive dental implants.

Dr Chin will take the dental implants, which are small but durable screws made from titanium. She will implant them, so they will take the place of your lost tooth root.

Dr. Chin will always make sure the tooth crown color matches your neighboring teeth.

The process may sound painfu, but Dr. Chin and her team make every effort to ensure you are comfortable and at ease during your dental implant surgery.

Sedation options will be discussed with you before the procedure.

During the procedure, we make sure the site is numb. You may experience mild tenderness for a few days following implant surgery, but the feeling doesn’t last. It’s eaily treated with an over-the-counter pain reliever.

Patient Experience Spotlight

Many patients describe Dr. Chin’s approach as compassionate and detail-oriented. Her gentle care and commitment to patient comfort are reflected in reviews like this one:

Dr. Chin may consider treating you with an implant-supported denture or bridge if you have multiple missing teeth or complete tooth loss. Up to six implants are typically needed to secure a denture to the lower or upper jaw.

She and her team will provide instructions for your post-op care to help you heal properly.

What to Expect Post-Operation

Over the next few months, the implants will gradually attach to human bone tissue over time. This integration and healing period creates a solid foundation for your replacement tooth, also known as a dental crown.

You will return for follow-up appointments so Dr. Chin can check how the area is healing and make sure everything is progressing as expected.

Contact Your Implant Dentist in Alexandria, VA

Do you want to learn more about tooth replacement, including dental implants? Are you ready to schedule your consultation with the dentist? Contact a dental team member today to get started.

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What is a Bone Graft for a Tooth Implant?

A bone graft is a surgical procedure that restores strength and structure to the jaw before or during dental implant surgery.

What happens when a tooth is missing? The surrounding bone tissue can shrink over time. This bone loss weakens the foundation needed to support an implant.

The replacement tooth relies on a healthy, stable surface for long-term success.

The Bone Grafting Process

During a bone graft, your dentist or oral surgeon places transplanted bone or a grafting material in the area where you have lost bone. The graft can come from your body or a safe donor source.

Your body begins to replace bone naturally over time. It creates a fully integrated region of new growth that can support an implant post.

Some patients need only minor bone grafts. This is especially true if bone loss is limited to a small area. Others may require a more extensive procedure to build enough bone for successful implant placement.

In both cases, the grafting material usually contains a naturally occurring mineral that encourages the body’s cells to form new bone.

Once healing is complete, the grafted bone fuses with existing bone under the gum tissue. This process restores strength and stability.

The natural regeneration process ensures a solid foundation for your implant. It helps your new tooth look, feel, and function like a natural one.

Types of Dental Procedures That Support Bone Growth

A dental professional may recommend one of several different procedures. Each restores or enhances bone growth when preparing for a dental implant. The methods strengthen the jaw. They help create the stable foundation needed for lasting results.

Bone Grafting

Bone grafting replaces missing bone with bone graft material that supports natural healing. The graft may come from your body or a donor. It can also be made from synthetic material designed to integrate safely with existing tissue.

Eventually, natural bone grows into and around the graft to create a strong base for the implant.

Guided Bone Regeneration

Guided bone regeneration is an advanced method that’s often performed during oral and maxillofacial surgery.

A thin barrier membrane is placed over the bone graft to encourage regeneration. It also prevents surrounding soft tissue from interfering with healing. The approach promotes precise and predictable bone growth.

Ridge Augmentation

Ridge augmentation rebuilds the natural shape and size of the jaw ridge after tooth loss. The ridge may appear sunken or uneven when bone resorbs over time.

An augmentation procedure restores the ridge’s original contour. It provides the necessary support for future implants or restorations.

Sinus Lift

A sinus lift adds bone to the upper jaw in the area near the back teeth. The dentist carefully raises the membrane lining the sinus cavities during the procedure. They then place bone graft material underneath.

The technique increases bone height. That allows secure placement of implants in the upper jaw.

Distraction Osteogenesis

Distraction osteogenesis is a specialized procedure that gradually lengthens existing bone. A small device gently separates sections of bone. The procedure allows the new bone to form in the space between them.

The method helps create adequate bone volume for implants. It also preserves the natural structure of the jaw.

We Offer Dental Bone Grafting for Tooth Implants

Dental bone grafting is a surgical procedure Dr. Chin performs to replace missing bone in the jaw. She may recommend the procedure to provide a stable foundation for the implant to integrate with the jawbone.

Bone grafting is typically performed by taking natural bone material from your body or from a human donor. It’s then placed in the area where new bone regeneration is needed.

After the bone graft material heals for several months, there will be enough bone mass to successfully place your implant.

What to Expect During Your Bone Grafting Procedure

A bone grafting procedure is typically straightforward and performed in the dental office. The dentist begins by numbing the area with a local anesthetic to ensure comfort throughout treatment.

A small incision is made in the gum to access the jawbone once the area is fully numb. The dentist then places the graft material into the area needing support. After placement, the site is closed and allowed to heal.

Over the following months, the graft naturally bonds with the surrounding bone to create a strong, stable foundation for a dental implant.

Types of Bone Grafts

Several types of bone grafts can help restore lost bone. They prepare the jaw for a dental implant. The choice depends on your oral health, bone quality, and your dentist’s recommendation.

The most common types of bone grafts include:

• Autograft – Uses your own bone taken from another part of your own body, such as the chin or hip. It promotes strong healing because it contains natural bone cells that stimulate growth.

• Allograft – Uses donor bone from a certified tissue bank. The material is processed and sterilized for safety. It provides an excellent framework for new bone formation.

• Xenograft – Uses animal donor bone, often from a cow or pig, that has been cleaned and treated. It acts as a natural scaffold for your bone to grow into.

• Alloplast – Uses synthetic bone graft material made from a naturally occurring mineral or bioactive glass. These materials are biocompatible. They encourage the body to generate new bone around the graft.

Each option supports bone regeneration. They all help ensure long-term success for your dental implant.

Cost and Value of Dental Implants

It’s true that dental implants cost more initially than other tooth replacements. However, their durability, longevity, and the benefits they offer make them a valuable investment in your oral and overall health.

Don’t Let Missing Teeth Hold You Back

If you are ready to reclaim your smile, schedule a consultation with Dr. Chin at LIFE Advanced Integrated Dentistry in Alexandria, Va. 

If you are in the surrounding communities, including Franconia, Kingstowne, Springfield, West Springfield, North Springfield, Fairfax, Lincolnia, Annandale, Manassas, and Falls Church, we serve you too!

We can’t wait to see your smile!