Bone Grafting

If you have a weak, damaged, or diseased jawbone, bone grafting can strengthen your jaw and reduce the risk of complications. At his practice in Midtown Manhattan, experienced dentist Barnett Geller, DDS, FAGD, boasts more than 40 years of experience performing bone grafts. Using special tools and advanced techniques, the process is quick, effective, and pain-free. To make an appointment, call the office in New York City, or book online today.

What is bone grafting?

Bone grafting is an outpatient procedure that adds volume and density to your jaw where the bone loss occurred. If you have gum disease or a weak jawbone, and you want dental implants, Dr. Geller might recommend bone grafting before moving forward with treatment.

What are the types of bone grafting?

Dr. Geller performs several types of bone grafting, including:

Socket preservation

If you need to have a tooth pulled, Dr. Geller might recommend socket preservation. Socket preservation is a type of bone graft that fills the hole left by an extracted tooth. Once placed, it prevents the sides from caving in.

Ridge augmentation

If you’re missing several teeth, Dr. Geller might recommend a ridge augmentation procedure. Ridge augmentation is a type of graft that increases the width and volume of your jaw, making it easier to place dental implants.

Sinus lift

If you have a weak upper jaw, Dr. Geller might recommend a sinus lift. A sinus lift is a bone graft designed to strengthen your upper arch. During treatment, Dr. Geller inserts a bone graft beneath your sinuses, providing a solid base for implants later on.

Periodontal bone graft

If you have severe gum disease, consider a periodontal bone graft. Dr. Geller places a periodontal bone graft next to an existing tooth. The graft prevents your tooth from shifting out of position and provides extra support.

How do I know if I’m a candidate for bone grafting?

To determine if you’re a candidate for bone grafting, Dr. Geller reviews your dental records, performs an oral exam, and takes a series of computed tomography (CT) scans (a special type of X-ray.) If the X-rays show bone loss, you qualify for treatment.

What is recovery like after bone grafting?

After dental bone grafting, it’s normal to experience mild swelling, bruising, and bleeding. Take your medications as prescribed, and follow Dr. Geller’s instructions carefully. Symptoms usually subside affect a day or two, but if they get worse or affect your daily routine, contact Dr. Geller right away.

Can a dental bone graft fail?

Dental bone grafting is safe and typically well-tolerated, but failure is a possibility if you use tobacco. Signs of dental bone graft failure include pain or swelling that gets worse, pus draining from the bone graft site, and gum recession.

Request a dental bone grafting consultation at the practice of Barnett Geller, DDS, FAGD, by calling the office or booking online today.