Bone Grafting in Houston, TX

If you have advanced gum disease, known as periodontitis, or if you’re missing a tooth, you may have lost some of the bone that holds your teeth in place. Dr. Younus, our highly trained and experienced periodontics specialist, may recommend bone grafting to trigger the growth of new bone. This procedure will help prevent tooth loss, or in the case of missing teeth, it will allow for the success of dental implants.

What Causes Bone Loss?

Did you know that the leading cause of tooth loss is gum disease? Untreated periodontitis not only causes tooth and gum tissue loss but also causes loss in the bone that supports the teeth. Gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease, is characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums. When the condition progresses to periodontitis, plaque bacteria produce toxins that infect the gums and the tissue beneath the teeth. The infection slowly breaks down the bone and tissues that keep the teeth in place, eventually causing tooth loss.

Bone loss can also occur when one or more teeth go missing. The surrounding bone begins to deteriorate, making it challenging to replace missing teeth using dental implants.

The Bone Grafting Procedure

Bone grafting is a procedure that Dr. Younus typically performs at our dental office under local anesthesia. She will first make a small incision in your gum to gain access to the bone. Next, she will place the grafting material, which works with the body to assist build new bone. Bone grafts can repair damage from periodontal disease to help prevent tooth loss and can also provide the needed stability for an implant.