Bone Grafting Post Implant Placement - possible to improve appearance and longevity?

Question

I had an implant placed when the procedure was relatively new, 1998. The dentist didn’t do a bone graft, and the appearance of the area isn’t pleasing to my eyes. Is it possible to have bone grafting done to improve the appearance and increase the longevity of the implant after all of this time? What is your advice? Thanks.

Kerem Turgut Atasoy, DDS, PhD · Answer

It has been a long time since your impant has been placed and your bone level at 1998 may be better than today. If there is bone loss around dental implant, bone grafting may be useful to gain new bone around implants. If you smoke, this may also increase bone loss and accompanying gum recession.

Ajay Kashi, DDS · Answer

Not everyone needs or benefits from bone graft. Your dentist should be the one to evaluate and recommend if you would need a bone graft to improve the clinical condition you have.

Miller Vieira Paula, DDS · Answer

Yes, bone grafting can sometimes be performed around an existing dental implant to improve both the appearance and the structural support of the surrounding area, even after a significant amount of time. Bone grafting could help restore volume and contour to the site, enhancing aesthetics and potentially adding support to the implant. However, the success of this procedure depends on several factors, including the condition of the existing implant, the surrounding bone structure, and your overall oral health.
Given that your implant was placed some time ago, a thorough evaluation with 3D imaging (such as a CBCT scan) is recommended. This will allow us to assess the current bone quality and density around the implant. In some cases, soft tissue grafting may also be considered in conjunction with bone grafting to improve the aesthetic outcome further.

Bone Grafting Post Implant Placement - possible to improve appearance and longevity?

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Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Bone Grafting Post Implant Placement - possible to improve appearance and longevity?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Dental Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.