Bone Grafting in Alexandria, VA

As an essential part of your overall oral health, your jawbone must remain healthy and strong prior to the placement of a dental implant. If your jawbone is damaged or deteriorating due to an oral condition or injury, a bone grafting procedure may be necessary to rebuild the bone in your jaw. Drs. Edward Delgado and Michael Kuzmik in Alexandria, VA perform bone grafting utilizing innovative techniques to strengthen the jawbone in order to ensure a successful result from a dental implant. Contact Drs. Delgado & Kuzmik P.C. Alexandria to learn more about bone grafting to ensure a healthy restoration and a rejuvenated smile. 

Individuals who may benefit from a bone grafting procedure are those who are seeking a dental restoration but do not have a strong enough jawbone to support an implant. In some cases, when a tooth is extracted without being replaced, the jawbone may begin to deteriorate. A bone graft would then be needed to strengthen and reinforce the jawbone. It may take several weeks or months for your graft to fully integrate with your existing bone, but once it is healed, you will be able to receive your long-lasting dental restoration. During a consultation at our Alexandria facility, Drs. Delgado and Kuzmik will be able to assess your overall oral health to determine if a bone graft would be ideal for your dental needs. 

The exact procedure process for a bone graft will vary, depending on the type and source of the bone tissue being used, as well as the amount needed for grafting. At your comprehensive consultation, our dental professionals will help you understand your bone grafting options to allow you to decide on the best type for your specific needs. The types of grafts that may be used include:

• An autograft: Donor bone that is taken from a separate area of your body, including the hip, shin, or chin
• An allograft: Bone sourced from another human or bone bank
• An alloplast: A biocompatible synthetic bone grafting material
• A xenograft: Harvest from an animal, most often bovine

For your actual bone grafting procedure, local anesthesia will be used to numb the area being treated. An incision will then be made in the gum tissue in order to reach the bone that is being treated. In some cases, PIEZOSURGERY® may be utilized during your treatment. With this innovative technology, a less invasive approach can be taken for your bone grafting procedure and the surrounding gum tissue will not be affected. In order to promote a quicker healing time, your bone graft will be integrated into your jawbone and fortified with biological factors. Your incision will be sutured closed, and the area of treatment will be rinsed. Depending on the circumstances, a dental implant procedure may be performed immediately following a bone graft.

After your bone grafting procedure, it may take several months for it to heal and fully integrate with the jaw (a process referred to as osseointegration). Throughout your recovery period, it is essential to adhere to a proper oral care routine at home that includes regular brushing and flossing. Additionally, a member of our dental team may be able to provide you with any necessary pain medication or antibiotics to ease any inflammation or discomfort. You will also need to attend follow-up appointments so that the integration of your graft can be assessed.

In some cases, bone grafting may be covered by your dental or medical insurance. During your consultation at Drs. Delgado & Kuzmik P.C. Alexandria, we will be able to provide you a more accurate estimate of your out-of-pocket costs. Our financial team will also be able to contact your insurance provider prior to your procedure. Additionally, we will discuss any other payment options, including third-party financing with CareCredit®.

Through bone grafting, you can gain a stronger, healthier jawbone in order to receive a long-lasting restoration to replace one or several missing teeth. At our Alexandria, VA office, we are proud to offer this innovative procedure for our patients to fully rejuvenate their smiles. Contact Drs. Delgado & Kuzmik P.C. Alexandria to schedule your initial consultation.