Dentica

787-918-2703

General Dentistry

About Grafts

Dental Grafts

In the context of dentistry and oral surgery, a “graft” refers to a surgical procedure where tissue is taken from one area of the body or a donor source and transplanted to another area within the oral cavity. Dental grafts are commonly performed to improve or restore the health and function of the gums (gingiva) and the underlying bone. These grafting procedures can serve various purposes:

About Dental Extractions

Reasons for Extractions

Gum Graft (Gingival Graft):

Gum grafting, also known as gingival grafting, is a procedure to augment or repair receding gums. Receding gums can expose the sensitive tooth roots and increase the risk of tooth sensitivity, decay, and gum disease. During this procedure, tissue is typically taken from the patient's palate (roof of the mouth) or another donor source and then attached to the areas with receding gums.

Sinus Lift (Sinus Augmentation)

A sinus lift is a specialized bone grafting procedure performed in the upper jaw (maxilla) when the sinus cavity has expanded into an area where dental implants are planned. The procedure involves lifting the sinus membrane and placing bone graft material beneath it to create sufficient bone height for implant stability.

Soft Tissue Graft

In addition to gum grafts, soft tissue grafts may be used to augment or replace missing or damaged soft tissues in the oral cavity. These grafts can help improve the appearance of the gumline or repair soft tissue defects caused by trauma or disease.

Bone Graft (Bone Augmentation):

Bone grafting is a procedure to augment or regenerate bone in the jaw where it has been lost or resorbed. This is often necessary for dental implant placement when there is insufficient bone to support an implant. Bone graft material can come from various sources, including the patient's own body (autograft), donor tissue (allograft), or synthetic materials (alloplastic grafts). The graft material serves as a scaffold for the patient's bone to grow and regenerate.

Ridge Augmentation

After a tooth extraction, the bone socket may undergo resorption, resulting in a diminished ridge or bone structure. Ridge augmentation involves grafting bone material into the extraction site to rebuild and restore the bone for future dental treatments like implant placement.

Dental grafting procedures are typically performed by oral surgeons or periodontists such as the Déntica team lead by Dra. Lina Rivera, who are specialists in the treatment of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. The choice of graft material and technique depends on the patient’s specific needs and the goals of the treatment.

After a grafting procedure, proper post-operative care, including maintaining oral hygiene and following the dentist’s or oral surgeon’s instructions, is essential for successful healing and optimal outcomes.

Patients with concerns about extractions should discuss their options with Dra. Lina Rivera. 

MOST POPULAR TREATMENTS

Our Services

Convenient appointment times

Schedule Your Appointment

appointment