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Bone Grafting

Your jaw will deteriorate eventually if you are missing a tooth or have gum disease.  Bone grafting surgery increases the density of the tissue in your jawbone, preparing you for dental implants and other procedures.  Drs. Sean Healy and Diego Hurtado combine compassionate and experience to perform successful bone grafts at our Santa Fe, NM, office.

Benefits of a Bone Graft At Our Office Serving Santa Fe, Taos, and Los Alamos, NM

Prepare You For Implants

If you have too much bone loss in your jawbone, you may be disqualified for dental implants. Bone grafting creates a solid base for titanium posts to be surgically implanted into your jawbone, even if you have low bone tissue. Implants can anchor crowns, bridges, or dentures more securely than traditional prosthetics. 

Improve Your Oral Health 

A bone graft preserves existing bone tissue in your jaw and regenerates what was lost, protecting against jawbone atrophy. After a tooth extraction, graft surgery can be performed immediately to prevent the collapse of the socket and maintain your oral health. 

Longterm Solution

Combined with good oral hygiene and regular dental appointments, bone grafting and implants can provide a lifetime of benefits. Implants stimulate tissue in the jawbone, preventing future bone loss.

Contact Our Oral Surgeons Rebuild Your Smile Today

If you are missing teeth and have low bone density in your jawbone, it can be easy to assume you can never have dental implants. A graft at our office serving Santa Fe, Taos, and Los Alamos, NM, is a comfortable procedure and will reinstate your candidacy for dental implants after your surgery.

Both Dr. Healy and Dr. Hurtado are oral and maxillofacial surgeons who have specialized education and technology to safely perform complex dental procedures like bone grafting. During your initial consultation, our doctors will examine your medical history and review your candidacy for a bone graft.

Contact us directly on our website to find out more about the surgery or call:

(505) 984-0694

Office

Top Reviews  Of Our Office Serving Santa Fe, Taos, and Los Alamos, NM

1

Max Davis

2021

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These folks totally saved me by working me into their schedule for an emergency extraction. No exaggeration, I had a dangerous situation. I'm totally indebted to them. They were efficient and knowledgeable, AND super friendly.

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1

Sasha SH

2020

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Dr. Diego Hurtado and his assistant Yvette did an amazing job extracting my wisdom tooth! Smooth and painless. I was lucky to end up at their clinic. Everyone appeared knowledgeable, professional, very polite and caring. Muchas Gracias!

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We Carefully Screen
Each Bone Graft Candidate

To ensure the success of every bone graft performed at Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center of Santa Fe, Dr. Sean Healy and Dr. Diego Hurtado carefully screen every candidate and provide honest feedback. If we do not believe that a bone graft will truly help your case, we will not perform the procedure.

Types of Bone Grafts

Block Bone Graft

A block bone or autogenous graft is a great option for patients who have lost a significant amount of bone density. 

Sinus Lift

If a patient is missing upper molars, the maxillary sinus may descend and fill in the area where tooth roots once resided. Sinus lift surgery gently repositions the membrane and grafting material is added underneath. 

Socket Graft

Also known as a ridge preservation, this surgery involves placing a socket graft after an extraction. This stops the body from resorbing the surrounding bone and preserves the site for future implant placement. 

Timeline of a Bone Graft Procedure

The bone grafting process usually takes about three to six months before a patient is ready for dental implants. We can schedule your dental implant surgery at our Santa Fe, NM, office after the new bone has healed and strengthened your jawbone. Here is what you can expect during a bone grafting procedure:

"Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center of Santa Fe offers sedation dentistry for a relaxing procedure."  
"Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center of Santa Fe offers sedation dentistry for a relaxing procedure."  

Anesthesia

Before your bone graft surgery, you will be administered anesthesia to numb the treatment site. If you have dental anxiety or have sensitive areas in your mouth, we can provide sedation for more relaxation during surgery.

Incision

Our oral surgeon will create incisions in the gums to reach the treatment area. 

Grafts

Grafting material is applied to the site of atrophied jaw tissue. The bone tissue may come from another part of your body, a donor bank, or be synthetic material. 

Sutures

After the new bone tissue is secured in place, our oral surgeon will suture your gums close and end the surgery.

Recovery

The grafted tissue will consolidate with the existing jaw tissue, increasing your bone density. Once your gums and jawbone heal, we can begin your dental implant treatment. 

Recovering From Your Treatment

Recovery time for bone grafting can last three to six months. You will most likely feel some discomfort after your surgery, especially during the first 48 hours after leaving our office. Swelling and bruising around the treatment area are normal, and should subside a few days after your surgery. 

If you are experiencing any unexpected side effects or have any questions about the healing process, contact our office in Santa Fe, NM.

Bone Grafting is Painless

Some patients may think bone grafting is too painful for them to undergo. A combination of anesthesia and sedation will keep you deeply relaxed throughout your surgery. 

Sedation dentistry is also a great option for patients who are anxious or have difficulty sitting still. You don't have to delay your treatment due to fear. Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center of Santa Fe will help you relax during your oral health-enhancing treatment. 

Bone graft

Why Get Dental Implants  After a Bone Graft?

Although getting a necessary bone graft before dental implant surgery can take months to recover from, patients say it's worth the wait. Dental implants offer more benefits that traditional prosthetics don't, including:

  • Preventing jawbone atrophy
  • Improved smile
  • Strengthened bite
  • Stabilize neighboring teeth
  • Prevent facial sagging and premature aging 

Whether you are missing a single tooth, a row of teeth, or an entire arch of teeth, dental implants can anchor a prosthetic that will fill in the gaps in your smile. Our oral surgeons Dr. Healy and Dr. Hurtado will use their advanced education and specialized technology to safely place implants into your jawbone. 

If you are interested in dental implants, schedule an appointment at our Santa Fe, NM, office.

More Top Reviews  From Santa Fe, Taos, and Los Alamos, NM

1

Wei Yu

2019

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Friendly staff, and very professional! I was so nervous getting my wisdom teeth taken out, but they were so nice and answered all my questions. The dentist himself was very professional, and everyone was amazing. Highly recommend to anyone.

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1

Montessa Valdez

2019

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Dr. Healy has a great patient manner and develops trust with his patients. He takes his time and explains things very well. Thank you Dr. Healy for doing such a great job with both my children. The dental assistants are wonderful!

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The Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center of Santa Fe logo

The Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center of Santa Fe

At The Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center of Santa Fe, Drs. Healy and Hurtado use the latest technologies to perform wisdom teeth removals, dental implant placement, and more. Our surgeons are affiliated with several professional organizations, including:

  • The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • The Southwest Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • The American Dental Association

To schedule a consultation, contact us online or by calling (505) 984-0694.

Contact Us Today

"I was nervous... but Dr. Healy and his nurses put me at ease, and he even gave me a call the evening after surgery to make sure I was ok." From a Google Review

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