Bone Grafting

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY IN THE HOUSTON TEXAS AREA

Bone Grafting services offered in Houston, Katy, TX

If you want dental implants but don’t have enough jaw bone volume to support them, consider bone grafting. Bone grafting can encourage the growth of new bone tissue, restoring your smile and oral health. At his practice in Katy, Texas, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon John Freeman, MD, DDS, FACS, has more than a decade of bone grafting experience. To make an appointment, call the office or click the online booking feature today.

Bone Grafting Q & A

What is bone grafting?

A bone graft is an outpatient procedure to treat jaw damage or jaw bone loss. Dr. Freeman uses surgical tools during treatment to make a small incision in your upper palate or jaw. Then, he inserts a piece of natural or synthetic bone material into the space and closes it. Once placed, the graft increases circulation to the area, triggering the creation of new bone.

Who is a candidate for bone grafting?

Anyone with low bone volume in their jaw or upper palate can benefit from bone grafting. That’s especially true if these problems affect your oral health or biting and chewing abilities. 

During your bone grafting consultation, let Dr. Freeman know about the medications, supplements, and vitamins you take. Certain drugs, like blood thinners, may increase the risk of bleeding complications during surgery.

What are the types of bone grafting?

Dr. Freeman offers several types of bone grafting, including:

Block bone grafts

If you’re missing bone toward the front of your mouth, Dr. Freeman recommends a block bone graft. During a block bone graft, Dr. Freeman removes a piece of healthy bone tissue from the back of your mouth, where your wisdom teeth used to be.

Sinus lifts

If you’re missing teeth in your upper arch toward the back of your mouth, Dr. Freeman recommends a sinus lift. During a sinus lift, Dr. Freeman inserts a bone graft into your upper palate. The procedure strengthens your jaw and moves your sinuses back into the proper position.

Socket grafts

Dr. Freeman performs a socket graft if you need to have a tooth pulled due to trauma or decay. A socket graft prevents bone loss that otherwise would occur after an extraction.

What is recovery like after bone grafting?

After a bone grafting procedure, Dr. Freeman packs gauze around the incision in your mouth, writes a prescription for pain medication, and provides care instructions. To reduce the risk of complications, Dr. Freeman recommends:

  • Applying ice packs to your cheek to reduce pain and swelling
  • Eating soft, bland foods for several days
  • Sleeping with your head slightly elevated
  • Taking your medication as prescribed

After a week, you return to Dr. Freeman’s office for a checkup. Dr. Freeman performs an oral exam and takes a series of X-rays to ensure the graft is healing properly.

To request your bone grafting consultation, make an appointment at the office of John Freeman, MD, DDS, FACS, by calling the office or booking online today.