Dental bone grafting has made it possible for dentists to restore oral health and confidence by introducing new ways to solve old problems. At San Tan Oral Surgery in Gilbert, Arizona, we offer bone grafts to help restore your bone structure, allowing for dental solutions that were not possible in the past. There are various reasons for you to have a bone graft. Understanding how it works and talking to a qualified dentist can help you decide whether you are a candidate for the procedure.

What Is Dental Bone Grafting?

As children, we lose our “baby” teeth, which are then replaced with our permanent “adult” teeth. But what happens when you lose your permanent teeth through gum disease or an accident? Your bones become less dense and weaker. The body absorbs the bone material because it’s no longer needed.

The loss of bone tissue may eliminate tooth replacement options such as dental implants. Dental bone grafting is a minor procedure usually done in our dental office. It can help stimulate bone growth needed to restore oral health by stimulating bone growth to save a tooth or prepare your mouth for dental implants.

Uses for Dental Bone Grafting

Dental bone grafts are relatively new advancement. It has given people options that did not exist or only existed for people who could afford what used to be an expensive option. It is now a treatment available to the general population and at all phases of restorative dental care from teeth preservation to implants.

Saving Natural Teeth

A traumatic injury or severe periodontal disease can cause enough bone loss to risk tooth loss. Bone grafts can help support and save your teeth from extraction.

Preserving Tooth Extraction Areas

Sometimes tooth extractions are inevitable. At the time of removal, it is common for the dentist to perform a bone graft, allowing for future tooth replacement options.

Preparing for Dental Implants

Dental implants provide a better option than removable dentures. They permanently replace missing teeth. Dental implants require the target area to have good bone volume and density. Patients who suffer from bone loss may need to have a graft to rebuild the affected site. Bone grafting can help regenerate the bone making it possible to perform a dental implant.

Material Used for Grafting

The source for a bone graft can either come from the patient, a human donor, an animal, or from synthetic material. The term used for the grafting depends on the source material.

Autografting is when the material used for the graft comes from the recipient’s body. The source area is usually the jaw or hip one. Allografts are sourced from human donors. Xenografts are bone grafts done with material from an animal. And finally, alloplasts are graph done using synthetic materials that include calcium, phosphorous, and hydroxylapatite.

Naturally, the most optimal source for a bone graft is your own tissue. There are pros and cons to each graft type, however, and you can discuss each option at the time of your consultation.

How Does Bone Grafting Work?

Bone grafting is a simple yet fascinating minor surgical procedure that usually takes place in a dental office under local anesthesia. The material for the graft may come from the patient, a human cadaver, synthetic material, or an animal.

An incision is made and then the grafting material is added to the bone underneath the gum. Your body then grows new bone at the graft site, restoring structure and healthy bone to the area. The actual workings of the grafting depend on the type of bone graft you receive.

Socket Graft

The socket graph is the most common type of bone graft. Usually, the piece of bone used to make the graft material comes from a human donor. This is preventative to keep the bone in a socket from deteriorating.

Lateral Ridge Preservation Graft

Like the socket graft, the lateral ridge graft is preventative and is used to make the jawbone wider, preparing it for a future dental implant. This graft often helps reduce the need for a major bone graft in the future.

Block Bone Graft

Patients with a sizeable defect in the jaw may need a block bone graft. The donor material may either come from the patient or a substitute. If the graft comes from the patient, a small block of bone is harvested from the back of the jaw. The graft is screwed or tacked into place, priming it to become part of the patient’s body. It takes about four to six months to heal, and only then is the area ready for a dental implant.

Sinus Lift Bone Graft

Sometimes the implant area is located in the upper jaw near the maxillary sinus. In this case, a sinus lift bone graft may be needed to create enough space between the jaw and the sinus cavity so that the sinus cavity is not compromised.

Find Out More

Bone loss no longer means a permanent loss of your brilliant smile, facial aging, or your ability to eat certain foods. There are preventative and restorative grafting options to pave the way to restore your facial structures, your smile, and your confidence! Your journey starts with a phone call. Contact San Tan Oral Surgery in Gilbert, Arizona and schedule your consultation today.

Are you experiencing pain or imperfections in your teeth but don’t want to undergo painful and time-consuming surgical procedures? Laser-assisted surgery and treatment from a Fotona laser can help you undergo your surgery or treatment faster, with no pain or long healing times. At San Tan Oral Surgery in Gilbert, AZ, we use laser-assistance for surgical procedures and treatments like teeth whitening to offer you a painless experience.

What Is the Fotona Laser?

Fotona is a well-known brand in aesthetic, surgical, and dental lasers. Laser technology is an incredible tool for surgery and skin treatments, but it is also aids in dental procedures. Lasers can be used for soft and hard tissue surgery, implanting, cavity preparation, and tooth whitening treatments. Laser-assisted oral surgery is safer than traditional surgery.

Laser-assisted procedures reduce bleeding and damage to the tissue, resulting in faster healing times with fewer complications. Laser surgery may not require sutures, is often painless, and requires anesthetic less frequently. Fotona allows dental surgeons a greater degree of precision and can be used in the place of drills and scalpels.

How Does Fotona Work?

Fotona is a laser system used in dentistry that emits a low intensity and high-frequency light pulse. The specific handheld dentistry laser from Fotona is called the LightWalker laser, using Er:YAG and Nd:YAG technology. The laser replaces steel cutting instruments like scalpels for oral surgery. The Fotona allows for cuts that are painless, fast, precise, and coagulate blood instantly.

The disinfection and fast healing associated with using the Fotona laser makes surgery possible with fewer sutures and less chance of infection. The Fotona system, known as TouchWhite Tooth Whitening, uses the LightWalker laser for aesthetic whitening treatments. We apply a gel to the teeth that absorbs the laser so patients will not feel discomfort.

We go over the teeth with the laser to activate the bleaching agent in the gel and whiten the teeth. Laser-assisted whitening is more effective and quick than other whitening treatments. The treatment is faster than other lasers because the tooth is not directly heated. The gel is specifically formulated so there is no risk of damage to the tooth while using the Fotona system.

Fotona for Oral Treatments and Procedures

Laser-assisted surgery is an incredible technology that helps dental surgeons conduct procedures with greater efficiency. The laser system from Fotona is adjustable, allowing surgeons to cut and disinfect with one tool. Dentists can make precise cuts with no scalpel and often complete surgery with no sutures. The laser makes bleeding less frequent as the incision heals quickly with instant coagulation and no pain. The clean surgery makes for fewer complications.

The laser can be used to prepare cavities faster than with drilling. Laser drilling is safer than mechanical drilling, and patients will feel no pain from the laser. Patients may not even require an anesthetic when undergoing treatment. Minor treatments like frenectomies can be completed in just 15 minutes with no pain. Laser treatments can be used for the quick and painless removal of white spots on the gums and oral tissue called leukoplakia.

Faster Healing After Surgery

Traditional oral surgeries will have a healing time and may require sutures. With laser surgery, there is less healing time because the cuts are not made with scalpels. The laser makes clean cuts in place of a traditional scalpel and has the added benefit of coagulating the blood instantly, so the cut heals quickly with no bleeding. Most patients feel no pain from a laser-assisted procedure.

Tooth Whitening With Fotona

The Fotona TouchWhite Tooth Whitening system uses the LightWalker laser to whiten teeth 5 to 10 times faster than traditional whitening methods. A gel is applied to the teeth when using the whitening laser. The gel will not penetrate hard tissue or the pulp of the tooth, so there is no damage or pain associated with the treatment.

With other whitening lasers, there is a risk of damage due to direct heat to the tooth. The gel is a bleaching formula that absorbs the light from the laser to bleach the teeth without directly heating the teeth. The laser is more efficient due to the minimized risk of damage.

Is the Fotona Laser Safe?

Laser-assisted surgery and treatment are safer than traditional surgery in most cases. Patients will enjoy fast and painless surgery. Anesthetic is required less frequently when lasers are used and bleeding is reduced. Patients will have faster healing times than traditional surgical procedures as most incisions will heal instantly after the cut as the blood coagulates from the laser. No scalpels or sutures are required with laser-assisted surgery, and the laser disinfects the surgical area so there are fewer risks of complications.

Fotona Laser for Your Next Oral Surgery

Oral surgery can be painful, but it doesn’t have to be with Fotona. Experience the painlessness and reliability of laser-assisted surgery with your next procedure at San Tan Oral Surgery. Laser surgery provides a faster surgery time with less healing and fewer risks. We can use Fotona for fast and effective tooth whitening with no pain or damage to the teeth.

If you think Fotona laser might be the right option for your next surgery or whitening, visit San Tan Oral Surgery in Gilbert, AZ today for a consultation. We offer painless cavity treatments, quick tooth whitening, and worry-free surgery with laser-assisted technology for your convenience and comfort.

Do you want a full and healthy smile without having to deal with dentures? Dentures are not a permanent solution and require significant care and maintenance. Zygomatic implants are an excellent way to restore your teeth without dentures. The implants look natural, are low maintenance, and do not require drastic lifestyle changes. Implants are a permanent alternative to dentures. Here at San Tan Oral Surgery in Gilbert, Arizona we have the dental solution for you.

What Are Zygomatic Implants?

Zygomatic implants are a dental implant that is permanently anchored to a dense bone within the mouth. The Implants are commonly used when there is not enough upper jaw bone to affix the dental implant. Instead of anchoring to the jaw, the implants are anchored to the cheekbones.

The loss of jaw bone may be due to age, disease, or trauma. For those with significant bone loss, the alternative would be rebuilding the jaw bone with grafts, which can be more invasive and cause complications.

The implant can also be used on both sides of the face in situations where bone loss is more severe. This can be helpful to provide adequate support for the implants. The implants have a natural look and do not require care beyond normal cleaning and check-ups.

The Difference Between Zygomatic and Traditional Implants

Traditional implants are anchored to the jaw bone using a titanium screw for each tooth. Implants that replace multiple teeth, such as All on Four implants, use four anchors to mount the entire prosthetic. For these types of implants, the patient must have enough support from their jaw bone.

If the jaw bones do not offer substantial support, a professional may recommend an implant that attaches to the cheekbone with a zygomatic procedure. The implant is mounted on the cheekbone, called the zygomatic region, by professionals. This can be helpful for older patients with a greater loss of bone in the maxillary or jaw bone or for those who have lost bone density due to disease or trauma.

The zygomatic bone is more dense, allowing for greater support than implants attached to the jaw bone. The prosthetic can often be attached to the bone with a less complicated procedure because of the wider distribution of stress. The implant can help patients avoid more invasive and complicated procedures like grafts.

Benefits of Zygomatic Implants

Zygomatic implants may seem like just a substitute for traditional implants when the jaw bones do not have enough density to support dental implants, but they offer several benefits over traditional implants that you may consider. Implants look natural and require a smaller amount of maintenance when compared to dentures.

Long-Term Solution

The implants are not removable like dentures. After the procedure, the implants are permanent and can last a lifetime if they are well taken care of. Just like with real teeth, you should have a daily routine to take care of your implants and gums. Continued cleanings and checkups from a dentist are also important.

Alternative solutions to jaw bone loss used to reinforce the jaw bone, such as grafts, can be complex. The grafts can be rejected and the procedure can take a long time.

Zygomatic implants can help you avoid complications that are associated with grafts, and the prosthetics can be implanted in less time. The implants can help provide more jaw structure, resulting in a better appearance. The implants appear to be natural and look like your real teeth.

Quick and Safe Procedure

Due to the wider area sharing the stress and the faster healing time associated with a zygomatic implant procedure, the prosthetics are usually mounted at the time of the procedure. Patients do not have to wait for the area to heal and come back for the prosthetics to be applied.

This implant procedure is safer than with implants that have a long healing time and a more concentrated area. The area has less risk of complications and heals quickly. The implants also have great stability due to being mounted on a dense bone.

The implants can be used much like your normal teeth, and you do not need to make changes to your diet. There is no need to remove the implants to clean them like dentures. The prosthetics can be cleaned just like real teeth. For a specific care routine, always consult with a dentist. It is important to keep the prosthetics clean for longevity. Even though the teeth are prosthetic, the gums will benefit from routine cleaning and maintenance.

Are Zygomatic Implants Right for You?

Dental implants are an excellent way to replace your smile after tooth loss. Implants are a long-term option to tooth replacement and can be used to replace one or several teeth. You can treat implants much like normal teeth, and they do not require significant lifestyle changes.

If you have missing teeth due to trauma, age, or disease, implants may be right for you. Implants require less care and are not removable like dentures. Implants can dramatically improve the look of your smile and quality of life, giving you a confidence boost and a normal lifestyle. If you are interested in dental implants, you should talk to a specialist about the benefits dental implants can have on your life.

If you are ready to restore your smile, check with our specialists if zygomatic implants are right for you. Implants are a simple and permanent solution requiring few changes to your daily routine and diet. Contact San Tan Oral Surgery in Gilbert, Arizona for a consultation today.

If you are considering All on Four dental implants as a restoration solution for your smile, you may be wondering how long they will last. Here at San Tan Oral Surgery in Gilbert, Arizona, we can help you understand what dental implants can do for you and why you might choose it over other solutions.

If you already have dentures or are weighing the benefits of dentures and implants, the dental implant system provides a long-term solution with less maintenance. You can continue to live much as you did with natural teeth, and the solution has a natural and youthful look.

What Are All on Four Implants?

These dental implants are a way to dramatically improve the quality of life for adults with significant tooth loss. Instead of individual implants for each tooth, this dental implant system replaces several at once. The process reduces surgical time and the amount of hardware needed to affix each and every tooth. Four implants are precisely placed and anchored to hold the entire dental implant in place.

The dental implant system has benefits over individual implants by strengthening the jawbone. The dental implant system is attached to the jaw using titanium, which can fuse to the jawbone over time for a stronghold. The implants create a stronger foundation than traditional implants that will give your jaw more structure so it is less noticeable you are wearing implants. The fusing also keeps bone loss to a minimum when compared to traditional dental implants.

Who Can Benefit From All on Four Dental Implants?

The dental implant system is excellent for an entire restoration of the teeth. Patients missing all, or a significant amount of teeth should consider the dental implant system as a total solution. Dental implants work to replace teeth that have been lost to disease, decay, and accident. Adults who lose teeth as they age may see dental implants as an excellent solution.

If you want to restore your smile to a youthful look with all of your teeth and a strong jaw, the dental implant system is an effective way to have a full smile. Dental implants do not need to be removed and are like your natural permanent teeth. You won’t need to change your diet when using these dental implants.

Caring for All on Four Dental Implants

Just like natural teeth, dental implants require cleaning through brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash daily. Dental implants also require routine checkups from your dentist and must be professionally cleaned at your dentist’s recommendation.

The dental implants themselves cannot decay, but cleaning the teeth just like natural teeth will help keep your gums healthy. With proper care, the implants can last much longer and you can prevent compromising the health of your gums.

How Long Do All on Four Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss. Dental implants fuse to the bone with titanium, so they will not come off. You can still chew all types of food and get jaw exercise. The structure of your jaw will not degrade as much as with traditional implants, so you will keep a youthful jaw profile. The implants are not susceptible to decay, but proper care should be practiced to keep your gums healthy. Always consult your dentist for the dental care routine you require.

If you keep your gums healthy with daily cleaning and visit the dentist for check-ups and cleanings, a dental implant that is kept in top condition can last for life. The implants are anchored and do not require removal. This can improve your quality of life socially and allow you to keep to a normal balanced diet. Dental implants have been in use for over 50 years, and many people live a better life thanks to this life-changing restoration treatment.

Zygomatic Restoration for Jaw Bone Loss

In addition to full tooth replacement with dental implants, some patients may need a different type of restoration if there is significant bone loss on the upper jaw. The Zygomatic implant system is a tooth restoration process that attaches the implants to your cheekbones rather than your jawbones. This procedure is only needed if the loss of the jawbone makes it impossible to attach the implants with the necessary stability. You can consult your dentist to determine which implant is right for you.

The Zygomatic implant system provides a youthful smile and healthy structure for those with bone loss that provides much better results than with other treatments. Your teeth and gums will look natural and your smile will be full. The implants do not require the same maintenance as dentures or other types of implants and the procedure is quick and easy. The teeth are permanent and you do not need to make changes your eating habits or lifestyle.

How to Get Treatment

If you are considering All on Four dental implants, contact San Tan Oral Surgery in Gilbert, AZ for a consultation for details about the procedure. We can provide a cost and timeframe summary to explain everything you need to know, and you can decide to act when you are fully ready. The process can be completed in as little as two to six months and may only take four to six visits to ensure a stable and complete restoration of your smile…and your confidence!