Dugan & Sweeney Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
412-366-2090
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Instagram
Yelp
  • Home
  • Meet Us
    • Dr. Michael Dugan
    • Dr. Patrick Sweeney
    • Dr. Seth Laino
    • Administrative Staff
    • Surgical Staff
  • New Patients
    • First Visit
    • Registration Form
    • Referral Form
    • The Effects of Dental Caries
    • Oral Pathology
    • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
    • Orthognathic Surgery
  • Services
    • Wisdom Teeth
    • Dental Implants
      • Dental Implant Process
    • Socket Preservation
    • Impacted Canines
    • Bone Grafting
    • TMJ Disorders
    • Skin Rejuvenation
      • Laser Skin Resurfacing
      • Restylane
      • BOTOX
      • Chemical Peels
    • IV Sedation
    • PRP
    • Facial Trauma
  • Surgical Instructions
    • Before Intravenous Anesthesia Sedation
    • After Wisdom Tooth Removal
    • After Placement Of Dental Implants
    • After The Removal Of Multiple Teeth
    • After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth
  • 3D Imaging
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Dental Implants

Prepare Your Mouth for Implants with Bone Grafting

When you lose a tooth, the connected area of your jawbone will no longer receive the stimulation it needs for healthy bone growth. Over time, this will cause your jawbone to deteriorate and interfere with your candidacy for dental implants.

Thanks to surgical advances, we now have the ability to replace your bone as needed and prepare your mouth for implant placement with a bone graft procedure.

Bone Grafting

To perform this treatment, we’ll obtain bone tissue from another part of your body or from a donor and graft it to your jawbone. Bone grafting takes advantage of your bone’s natural ability to regenerate, as the new tissue will absorb and integrate into your existing tissue. With the help of this procedure, you can restore your jawbone to full strength and prevent major complications for your oral health.

Bone Graft Diagram 1
Bone Graft Diagram 2

Questions / Comments

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Socket Grafting

When you have a tooth extracted, we clean out the socket to remove any remaining bacteria and fill it with a suitable bone grafting material. After we suture up the area, you can expect your tooth socket to heal in three to six months.

Socket Graft Diagram 1
Socket Graft Diagram 2
Socket Graft Diagram 3

Sinus Lift

Your maxillary sinuses are behind your cheeks, on top of your upper teeth. The roots of some of your natural teeth extend up into your maxillary sinuses. If these teeth are removed, you’re left with only a thin wall of bone between your mouth and your sinuses, making it very difficult to place dental implants.

Thankfully, we can overcome this setback with a sinus lift treatment. This procedure involves elevating your sinus membrane and inserting a bone graft in the sinus floor, which is also the roof of your upper jaw. After a healing period of several months, the bone will become naturally integrated with your jaw and ready to support dental implants.

Sinus Graft Diagram 1
Sinus Graft Diagram 2
Bone Graft Diagram 3

Ridge Expansion

In severe instances of jawbone deterioration, your ridge can reabsorb and become too thin for implant placement. For cases like this, we can perform a bone graft to expand the height or width of your jaw ridge. After allowing a few months for the grafting material to set, you’ll be ready for dental implants.

Nerve Re-Positioning

Your inferior alveolar nerve is responsible for the sensations in your chin and lower lip. Sometimes this nerve needs to be moved in order to accomodate implant placement in your lower jaw. This procedure is only used for patients who are missing teeth in the area of their two back molars in the lower jaw.

To begin the procedure, we remove an outer section of your lower jawbone to expose the nerve. Next, we’ll isolate the nerve and pull it slightly to the side. After we place your dental implants, the nerve will be released and we’ll fill your surgical area with bone grafting material before closing it.

Ready to Start Your Implant Journey?

As a result of advancements in dental technology and surgical techniques, nearly any patient can now be a candidate for dental implants. Whether you need to restore your jawbone, expand your jaw ridge, or re-position your nerve, Drs. Dugan and Sweeney can take care of your needs.

Contact one of our four convenient locations in the Pittsburgh area today and schedule a consultation with one of our doctors. It’s the first step of your journey to a healthy and beautiful smile.

Drs. Dugan & Sweeney perform dental implant placement in Pittsburgh, PA

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to recover from a dental bone graft?
What kinds of bone grafts are there?
Is a bone graft necessary after a tooth extraction?
Can a bone graft fail?
How can I ensure proper healing after a bone graft procedure?
How long does it take to recover from a dental bone graft?
The bone graft procedure only takes about 45 to 90 minutes, and the recovery typically takes two weeks. During the healing period, we recommend applying ice to relieve any pain and swelling. If you’re planning on getting a dental implant, our dentists will recommend waiting about six months after the procedure to ensure the bone is solid and you’re ready for the next step.
What kinds of bone grafts are there?
Bone grafting is a procedure that takes bone tissue from another source and grafts it to the weakened areas of the jaw. There are two types of bone grafts we specialize in at our office, including:

  • Allograft – This type of bone grafting uses bone samples taken from other people or certain animals
  • Autograft – This form of bone grafting takes bone tissue from another part of your own body
Is a bone graft necessary after a tooth extraction?
A bone graft is not a requirement following an extraction procedure– however, it helps to prevent the loss of bone that normally occurs following a tooth extraction. If you’ve had a tooth extraction and plan on getting a dental implant, one of our dentists may recommend a bone graft to ensure the success of your dental implant procedure. 

The procedure becomes more complex to perform as time passes, therefore it’s typically recommended following a tooth extraction.

Can a bone graft fail?
Bone graft failures are extremely rare. The goal of a bone graft is to promote the body’s ability to regenerate more bone tissue in the jaw. If the body fails to build up the jawbone, the bone graft is said to have failed. 

There are various reasons the body may fail to create more bone, including: 

  • Age 
  • Type of graft used
  • Overall health

The upside is that we can always try again. Bone grafting isn’t for everyone, but when the procedure is carried out by  trusted oral surgeons like Drs. Snyder and Dugan, you can be certain they’ll make sure you’re a good candidate prior to the procedure. 

How can I ensure proper healing after a bone graft procedure?
To ensure a swift recovery after the treatment, there are a few things you can do on your end, including:

  • Avoid smoking
  • Take medications as prescribed
  • Refrain from taking blood-thinning medications
  • Practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing between meals
Pittsburgh Office
Butler Office
Zelienople Office
Greenville Office
Pittsburgh Office
Pittsburgh Location Dugan and Sweeney
9401 McKnight Rd Suite 201
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: (412) 366- 2090
Get Directions
Hours Mon - Thurs: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 4pm
Sat & Sun: Closed

Connect With Us

Facebook
Google+
Twitter
Yelp
Butler Office
Butler Office
373 Evans City Road
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: (724) 282-6312
Get Directions
Hours Mon - Thurs: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 4pm
Sat & Sun: Closed

Connect With Us

Facebook
Google+
Twitter
Yelp
Zelienople Office
Zelienople Office Dugan and Sweeney
506 South Main Street Suite 2101
Zelienople, PA 16063
Phone: (724) 452-9153
Get Directions
Hours Mon - Thurs: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 4pm
Sat & Sun: Closed

Connect With Us

Facebook
Google+
Twitter
Yelp
Greenville Office
Greenville Office Dugan and Sweeney
2 Greenville Orthopedic Center
Greenville, PA 16125
Phone: (724) 588-7260
Get Directions
Hours Mon - Thurs: 8am - 5pm
Friday: 8am - 4pm
Sat & Sun: Closed

Connect With Us

Facebook
Google+
Twitter
Yelp
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
© 2020 Dugan & Sweeney