Once you have lost a tooth, the health and beauty of your smile are put at risk. Without the stimulation of the tooth root, the jaw bone begins to deteriorate from lack of use. Over time, this may lead to changing facial features, or the collapse of sinus areas. This puts stress on other teeth and leads to unpredictable outcomes.
Dental implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement solutions that offer the benefits of a natural tooth, providing the same bone stimulation and stopping the progression of bone loss. However, increased bone insufficiency in some patients may hinder the placement processes, and more bone may be needed to support the implant. We perform a variety of procedures to help patients achieve a healthy foundation for successful implant placement.
As the only Periodontist in Moore County, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, Dr. Steven Van Scoyoc has advanced knowledge and experience of how bone influences the success of implant placement. Bone grafting is capable of providing a more solid foundation for patients that do not possess enough healthy bone for a dental implant to successfully fuse. As every situation is unique, Dr. Van Scoyoc offers several different procedures to meet the needs of each individual patient to treat bone loss.
Dr. Van Scoyoc uses Piezosurgery® to modify the jawbone in order to create a stable foundation before an implant procedure. Piezosurgery® is a minimally-invasive surgery alternative that allows Dr. Van Scoyoc to treat the bone without harming the soft tissues. This makes the treatment more accurate, safe and comfortable for the patient, with accelerated healing times and less discomfort afterwards.
When a tooth is extracted, it may result in the loss of bone where the tooth had been. Ridge augmentation may be performed to recreate the natural look of the gum and bone around the empty socket. This may be done in preparation for dental implants as well.
In cases that require a tooth extraction, ridge preservation is a procedure that uses grafting material to temporarily stabilize the area after a tooth has been removed. This makes the placement of dental implants or bridges more efficient, comfortable and affordable for the patient after the area heals.
If there is not enough bone height in the upper jaw for the placement of dental implants, Dr. Van Scoyoc may recommend a sinus lift. This procedure takes bone from another area of the body and adds it to either side of your nose, by the sinuses. Dental implants can be placed once the area has healed.
Dr. Van Scoyoc uses GTR to promote more efficient healing for patients who have undergone bone grafting, tooth extraction, dental implant and gum surgery procedures. GTR uses collagen membranes that serve as a barrier between the gum tissue and surface of the tooth root, which allows the cells to grow and heal. When used in conjunction with bone grafting, the bone will grow back faster and stronger.