Gum disease can eventually lead to loss of bone in the jaw. Bone grafting is a technique that restores jaw bone volume and encourages natural bone growth. In some cases, a bone graft is needed so that a stable foundation for an implant can be established. Unfortunately, when a tooth is lost, without the ongoing pressure of the teeth, the underlying bone begins to shrink in size, leaving the area too small to place an implant and restore the tooth. The first step is often a bone graft. To stay ahead of periodontal disease, be sure to contact your local Pasadena periodontist like Dr. Sanchita Mehra for a thorough examination.

How Does a Bone Graft Work?

This procedure may involve more than one step. If bone material is going to be harvested from your own body, this step takes place first. Synthetic bone material is also available to perform this procedure, or bone material harvested from a bovine (cow) source. Each of these options will be discussed with you prior to the procedure, and why a particular material will be best in your case. Our holistic dental practice focuses on overall patient health, and we use only the safest, biocompatible materials for every procedure.

The gum tissue is pulled back, and the area fully cleaned so that the bone material can be placed. The material is then placed in the site being treated. In some cases, a thin membrane is placed below the gum line to protect the new bone material as it heals. A protein product called Emdogian is placed on the site prior to stitching it closed. This stimulates the tissues to grow and create stronger support.

Why Bone Grafting?

Several conditions can be improved with a bone grafting procedure. These include:

Dental Implants: You need adequate bone structure to secure an implant. A bone graft may be required to ensure the implant can be placed.
Ridge augmentation: Ridges in the bone can be present after an injury, a birth defect, or as a result of a severe case of periodontal disease. This procedure makes the bone in the jaw uniform in shape.
Repositioning nerves: In some cases, the nerve in the jaw must be moved for an implant to be placed. A bone grafting procedure can involve repositioning these critical nerves so that no sensation is lost in the lower chin and lip.

Recovery from Bone Grafting

The recovery time from this procedure will vary from patient to patient. You will be given a prescription for pain medication to manage discomfort. Antibiotics are typically part of the treatment, and the entire prescription must be taken. To manage any swelling, an ice pack is effective. Don’t skip meals, but limit them to soft foods such as soups or pureed foods initially. Don’t brush the teeth close to the area in which the surgery was performed until advised to do so by Dr. Mehra. Ordinarily, by the third day after bone grafting, you begin to feel and look normal, and the swelling will have reduced greatly. As the days pass, the treated area becomes healthy again and you can return to your usual activities.

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Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

May 2020

Dear Valued Patient:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

All patients must wear a mask when entering the office.

Anyone accompanying you will be asked to wait in their vehicle.

Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.

Upon arrival at your appointment your temperature will be taken for the safety of all staff and patients.

Prior to receiving treatment you will be asked to rinse with an antimicrobial for a minimum of 30 seconds

We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.

You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.

UV Air purifiers have been placed throughout the office.

Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.

We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time, so we ask that you do your best to be on time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (626)798-7834 or visit our website at pasadenasmilecenter@yahoo.com.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely, Niloufar Molayem, D.D.S. & Team