Restoring Bone and Facial Structure
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Tooth loss and advanced gum disease can result in diminished jawbone volume and structure. In addition to being a potentially serious dental health problem and a condition that may limit candidacy for dental implants, jawbone loss can even affect the appearance of your face. At Restorative and Implant Dentistry of Bayside our dentist and prosthodontist, Sameet Sheth, DDS, FACP, performs a variety of specialized procedures designed to restore bone and facial structure. Bone grafting and bone regeneration options allow Dr. Sheth to reconstruct areas of the jawbone to support dental implants and improve dental health. In some cases, he incorporates the use of maxillofacial prosthetic devices to repair congenital and acquired defects of the mouth and jaw.
If you are interested in learning more about the process of restoring bone and facial structure, please explore the information provided below. For a consultation with Dr. Sheth, we invite you to contact our office.
Ridge Expansion
In severe cases of jawbone loss, the bony ridge required to support a dental implant may be reabsorbed by the body. To rebuild the height and/or width of the ridge, a bone graft procedure called a ridge expansion can be performed. During this procedure, bone graft material is added to the jawbone and allowed to heal. Once properly healed, it may be possible to place dental implants in the restored bone structure.
Sinus Augmentation
Sinus augmentation is a bone grafting procedure that can rebuild portions of the upper jawbone that have diminished as a result of tooth loss or gum disease. Dr. Sheth accesses the upper jawbone through the sinus cavity and places bone grafts in atrophied areas to create a more substantial support for the placement of dental implants.
Guided Bone Regeneration
Guided bone regeneration, or GBR, is a procedure that increases bone volume in areas of depleted jawbone mass to create a foundation for dental implants. During the procedure, Dr. Sheth creates a space scaffolded with bone grafting material along the surface of existing bone, which is designed to foster growth and regeneration of new bone tissue. Once the necessary amount of density has been achieved and the area has properly healed, dental implants can be placed.
Maxillofacial Prosthetics
Dr. Sheth uses maxillofacial prosthetic devices to repair congenital and acquired defects involving the mouth and jaw. Prosthetic devices can be used to:
- Repair defects of the hard and soft palate (i.e. cleft palate)
- Overcome dental challenges posed by ectodermal dysplasia
- Rehabilitate cancer patients who have had extensive cancer removal surgery that affects the structures of the mouth, palate, or jaw
If you are interested in learning more about the care Dr. Sheth provides using maxillofacial prosthetics, please contact our office.