How Lasers Assist With Grafting

Jawbone grafting, also known as ridge augmentation, can help strengthen the jaw in the areas where tooth loss has caused the structure to weaken. This can ensure your smile can support dental implants, so you can enjoy a full smile again. In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about how we assist your jawbone grafting with laser dentistry.

The Impact of Gum Disease and Tooth Loss

We know that periodontal disease can lead to adult tooth loss, and that when you lose your natural teeth your body will stop sending regular doses of key nutrients to the areas without tooth roots. The result is a weakened jaw, one that causes further tooth loss and an aged appearance. This weakened jawbone structure can also mean your smile cannot support dental implants, limiting your tooth replacement options. In addition to managing periodontal disease, we can use laser-assisted jawbone grafting to strengthen the lower jaw so you can receive one or more dental implants!

The Assistance of Dental Lasers

How do lasers factor into the procedure? Our team employs a number of soft tissue dental laser systems, including Fotona, LANAP, and REPAIR with WaterLase. With these systems, we can remove diseased portions of the gums with precision and comfort, reshape the gum line, and correct issues with the shape and position of the underlying connective tissues and bone structure. This can help in the grafting process and ensure the treated areas heal faster, as we don’t need scalpels or sutures. The technology also limits the risk of bleeding, infection, and swelling. We can even employ them to aid in the placement of dental implants once your jaw is ready!

Grafting and Implant Placement

Our team will plan the procedure in detail with digital imaging technology, and then apply new structures to the lower portion of your bite, using synthetic or donor tissues, or bone taken from other parts of your own body, such as your hip or knee bone. When the area has healed, we can insert one or more dental implants, so you can support new teeth that also stimulate the flow of essential nutrients to the smile, keeping your new teeth in place and your smile intact for years to come, possibly decades!

If you have any questions about how we help smiles with jawbone grafting, then contact our team today to learn more! You deserve a smile that looks great and helps you smile with confidence once again, and we can help with the laser-assisted ridge augmentation procedure.

Schedule Your Appointment for Ridge Augmentation

Our team wants to help you rebuild your smile so it can support your new dental implants. To learn more about the ridge augmentation process, call Dr. Ann Kania in Encinitas, CA, today at 760-642-0711.