What is a Bone Graft?

A bone graft is the term for harvesting bone material from a healthy location and grafting it to a location that is broken or weakened.  Dr. Amit Pandya performs bone grafts on patients in need of dental implants.  Missing a tooth for an extended period of time can leave the jaw bone vulnerable and compromise its structure.  When a patient needs an implant for a permanent replacement tooth, a bone graft reinforces the jaw bone so it is strong enough to handle the placement of an implant. 

In the same procedure, bone material is harvested from a healthy location in the patient’s mouth and grafted to the compromised area of the jaw bone.  This strengthens the weakened bone, and encourages growth of new bone material as it heals.  After the procedure, the bone graft will be monitored over the course of months.  When the jaw bone has strengthened enough to handle the placement of an implant, the dentist can move forward with the patient’s plan of care.

To learn more about bone grafting and all the services provided at the practice, visit www.goinggrin.com. To set up an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in New Hyde Park, NY, call us at (516) 233-2135.

Ridge Augmentation

Dental implants usually are the most-desired form of tooth replacement. This is because they act most closely to a real tooth and they can last a lifetime. However, without a stable jaw bone, dental implants may not be an option. Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS  has found a way to correct this problem with a ridge augmentation.

A ridge augmentation replaces lost bone tissue along the ridge of a patient’s gumline. If the ridge where teeth are settled in loses width or height, implants may not be a realistic option for tooth replacement. This is because without a sturdy ridge, the implant will not last long or may not even be able to be placed at all. When a tooth goes missing, the ridge where the tooth sits can begin to deteriorate. If not replaced soon, the ridge may lose enough tissue so an implant cannot be held there anymore. When the tooth goes missing, a patient may not have the money, insurance, or time to have an implant installed. However, an implant may become possible for them in the future. This is why we offer ridge augmentation; to make implants possible again when bone has been lost.

Ridge augmentation involves taking bone graft material and placing it where the bone has been lost. The area is stitched up and allowed to heal for a few months. During this time, the bone graft material will also promote the ridge to grow even more. The area will then be ready for a dental implant to be placed.

If you have been told your ridge is too small for a dental implant, a ridge augmentation may be what you need. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS in our New Hyde Park, NY office, call us at (516) 233-2135 or visit our website, www.goinggrin.com. 

Sinus Augmentation

Many patients prefer dental implants because they are the best replacement option out there and they can last a lifetime. However, the jawbone needs to be just right in order to successfully place dental implants. In the case where patients’ sinus cavity is too close to the upper jawbone, Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS can perform a sinus augmentation.

Sometimes the jawbone right below the sinus cavity is not big enough to allow a dental implant to successfully be placed. When a tooth is missing for a while, the bone in the area where the tooth used to be can begin to deteriorate. In other cases, a patient may just be born with a smaller jawbone. A sinus augmentation adds bone to the area between the upper jaw and the sinuses. The sinuses on either side of the nose are also commonly too low for placing an implant for a molar or premolar.

The bone for the graft is usually taken from another area in the jaw or from a place like the hip bone or shin bone. This added bone will also promote growth of the jawbone already in place. The grafting process begins with cutting the tissue where the implant will be. The bone is exposed and a small opening is created. The membrane separating the sinus cavity from the jaw is pushed up and away. The bone graft material is then packed into the space. Afterwards, the area is stitched closed. The area will need several months to heal, but the end result is a large and strong jawbone that can hold a dental implant for life.

To learn more about dental implants and sinus augmentation, be sure to contact us. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Amit Pandya, DDS, call our New Hyde Park, NY office at (516) 233-2135 or visit our website, www.goinggrin.com.