When you lose teeth to gum disease, this could lead to a weakened jaw and limited ability to receive dental implants. To rebuild the jaw, we could conduct a grafting procedure. In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about how we use lasers to aid in our jawbone grafting procedure.
Gum Disease, Tooth Loss, and Bone Loss
When people develop the periodontitis stage of gum disease, this could mean the tissues that connect your teeth and gums could deteriorate, which leads to adult tooth loss. When people lose teeth, the body will suspend the flow of calcium and phosphorus to the jawbone, which means the bone tissue around the lost roots breaks down, which in time could lead to further tooth loss and a weakened jaw. This weakening of your jawbone means you may not be able to receive dental implants to support new teeth. But our team can conduct a grafting procedure, also known as a ridge augmentation, to strengthen the lower jaw, aided with laser technology.
The Grafting Procedure
The procedure involves our team applying new structures to the weakened portions of the jaw, which could be taken from other parts of your body, such as the rear of your jaw, your hip, or your knee. We could also employ synthetic or donor tissues as well. When applied to the bone, this bonds with the jaw and acts as new structure. We can then insert dental implants once the area heals, and these will act as new roots and keep the jawbone whole and stimulated, so your new teeth can last for decades to come. Wed can also offer routine care to manage gum disease and prevent further loss of your teeth or implant failure.
The Use of Dental Lasers
Our team will plan the procedure in detailed with digital imaging systems, such as digital x-rays. Our team then ensures you’re comfortable with the use of local anesthesia and even sedation, so you enjoy a relaxing experience with little to no memory of the surgery. With dental lasers, we can gently modify the gum tissues and bone structure as needed to aid in the grafting process. Lasers can target areas with precision and destroy harmful bacteria to ensure a faster healing period and a reduced risk of bleeding, swelling, or infection. We can also use this to remove the diseased portions of your gums to aid in managing the more severe stages of the disease.
Contact Our Team for Treatment
We want to help you enjoy good oral health and a complete smile again. If you would like to find out more about the use of lasers to aid in periodontal treatment, then please call Dr. Kania’s laser periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.