Bone Grafting2023-01-25T14:01:51+00:00
Dental Technology Dental Imaging Charleston

Advanced Treatment Options

BONE GRAFTING

In James Island & Charleston

Bone Grafting and Sinus Lifts

A bone graft or sinus lift can help you become a better candidate for tooth replacement with dental implants

Have you been told that you aren’t a candidate for dental implants because you don’t have sufficient bone to hold the implant in place? Bone grafting may present a solution.

Bone Grafting

One of the side effects of missing teeth is a deterioration in the bone structure. Since the bone no longer has to do the job of holding a tooth in place, the body no longer sends nutrients to the area, causing the bone to resorb or diminish. As time progresses, the bone in the area weakens and shrinks.  Bone grafting is achieved by taking your own bone (autograft), another human’s bone (allograft), animal’s bone (xenograft), or synthetic bone (alloplast) and placing it into the defect. These grafts come in block form or particulate form. Each is used differently depending on the type of defect present.

Many times we use an allograft. The advantage of an allograft is that it prevents a patient from having a second surgery site (the donor area). A bone graft forms scaffolding for one’s own bone to grow into. On average, this takes three months for the lower jaw and five to six months for the upper jaw and results in the patient’s own bone filling in the defect.

A bone graft is highly recommended following the extraction of a tooth to prevent defects from forming. This maintains the height and width of the bone to allow the placement of an implant or create an ideal site for a pontic, the replacement tooth used in a bridge. This treatment is sometimes called ridge preservation.

Following the extraction, the bone graft is placed, and a protective membrane is sutured into place.

Sinus Lift

A sinus lift procedure may be recommended when the sinuses in the upper jaw drop down into an area, creating a situation where the bone may not be abundant enough to support an implant. Some sinus lifts can be done at the time of implant placement (internal) or prior to placing an implant (external). This procedure involves lifting the sinus membrane while keeping it intact and depositing bone underneath the membrane. By doing this, the bone height is increased, allowing for an implant to be placed and not invade the sinus.

We’ve used x-rays to illustrate the sinus lift procedure below so you can gain a clearer idea of how the procedure works.

Dentist James Island

Convenience

Convenience

We make it easy and convenient to schedule appointments and make payments online with our patient connect portal.

Advanced Technology

Advanced Technology

We have the latest dental technology to care for all of your dental needs in-house.

Comfort

Welcoming Atmosphere

We strive to create a stress-free experience curated by our friendly and welcoming staff.

Get Started

New Patients

Are you a new patient to James Island Dental?  Get started now by following the link and completing the requested forms to make your visit easy and stress-free.

Current Patients

We make is easy for existing patients of James Island Dental to easily access medical information, schedule appointments, and make online payments. Log in now.

Get Started

New Patients

Are you a new patient to James Island Dental?  Get started now by following the link and completing the requested forms to make your visit easy and stress-free.

Current Patients

We make is easy for existing patients of James Island Dental to easily access medical information, schedule appointments, and make online payments. Log in now.

Based on 209 reviews
William Patton
William Patton
January 24, 2022.
Great experience! This is painless dentistry at its best. Can recommend without reservations.
jrjutzi
jrjutzi
January 10, 2022.
Been coming here for years. Great staff and great outcomes for my dental care!!
Jason Jenkins
Jason Jenkins
January 5, 2022.
Best dentist ever!!! James Thomas always provides the best service for my family and I. His staff is top notch and there is nowhere else I’d go for routine service and the bigger issues that arise.
Harvey Loew
Harvey Loew
January 5, 2022.
This dental office combines a high level of professional care with the right personal touch. It is consistently demonstrated by the dentist, hygienists, assistants and office management. I would suggest more feedback from the dentist even when things are not problematic. I would like to know what else to be aware of as an aging patient in how to be more preventative and proactive in addition to brushing and flossing.
Alison Mistretta
Alison Mistretta
December 8, 2021.
I’ve been a patient of Dr. Thomas for about 8+ years now. Everyone from the front office staff, the hygienist, and Dr. Thomas have been wonderful without exception. I’ve recommended and will continue to recommend his practice.

MORE QUESTIONS?

I have bone loss around some of my teeth. What should I do?2021-08-11T20:30:10+00:00

Periodontal disease has a number of symptoms. In its earliest stages, you might experience bad breath or bleeding when you brush and floss. As the disease progresses, however, bone loss is likely. This bone loss can lead to all kinds of problems, including loose and lost teeth. In fact, American adults lose more teeth to periodontal disease than any other dental problem.

Periodontal disease is a treatable disease, not a curable one. We recommend evaluations that include radiographs (x-rays) and charting over time to determine the extent of bone loss and decide which methods are best for treating the disease in each individual case.

Treatment for Periodontal Disease

Treatment can involve deep cleanings and/or periodontal laser therapy, both of which our office offers. We recommend you stay on a 3- to 4-month recall for periodontal maintenance so we can examine and stay on top of the disease.

If you have lost teeth and need to replace them, dental implants are a highly effective solution – especially because they help stop the process of bone loss! If you have already lost bone, however, it may not be possible to place an implant. This can be solved with bone grafting, and if you are a candidate, we will be sure to discuss all your options with you so you can make an informed decision about your health.

(843) 762-1234

113 Wappoo Creek Drive, Suite 5 Charleston SC 29412

Johns Island Dental

(843) 559-3135

3201 Maybank Hwy, Johns Island, SC
29455

Patient Portal

James Island Dental Associates and Johns Island Dental Associates provide general dentistry, family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative dentistry along with the most advanced dental technology.  we service Charleston, James Island, Johns Island, West Ashley for all your dental care needs.

Go to Top