When a lost or extracted tooth no longer stimulates the bone tissue by chewing, the bone begins to deteriorate. Some patients may naturally have narrower, less dense bones, exacerbating this condition. Bone loss can change your facial shape, making your cheeks appear hollow or your face appear gaunt. In addition, insufficient jawbone tissue can make you ineligible for dental implants. Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry recommends placement of osseous material in root sockets at the time a tooth is extracted. If you lost one or more teeth in the past, osseous material can be added at any time, but the sooner the better.
Fortunately, Dr. Michael Costa of Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry has expertise in bone grafting, as well as implant placement and restoration. You may elect to have conscious oral sedation for this procedure. After numbing your gum tissue, Dr. Costa makes a small incision, modifies existing bone if necessary, and places the grafting material. He may recommend using Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) for faster healing and injectable EXPAREL® for long lasting postsurgical pain relief.
A special grafting procedure is called a “sinus lift,” because it builds up bone in the upper jaw beneath the sinuses. Tooth loss, periodontal (gum) disease, or abnormal oral structures could cause your maxillary sinuses to expand and take up disproportionate space in your upper jaw and cheeks. In addition to changing your facial shape, sinus enlargement and jawbone loss can make patients with missing teeth ineligible for implant supported crowns, bridges, and dentures.
During the sinus lift procedure, Dr. Michael Costa raises sinuses so that new, healthier tissue can develop beneath them after bone grafting.
We take your safety and comfort seriously. Dr. Costa will review your medical history with you prior to scheduling surgery and plan your procedure(s) in detail for minimal impact on your bone and gum tissues. Under oral sedation, you will be completely relaxed, and after surgery it’s likely you will not remember the surgery itself. With PRF and EXPAREL, the post-surgical swelling and discomfort will be minimized, and most patients manage well with over just over-the-counter pain relievers after the numbing effect of EXPAREL wears off.
When bone grafting or a sinus lift are recommended, we spend time to explain why in detail. We spend time fully informing you about what to expect during and after treatment. We take time to make sure we have answered your questions.
Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry genuinely care about our patients as individuals. If you accept bone grafting treatment, the entire team of Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry will work to make your experience a personal one and as wonderful as possible. After surgery, Dr. Costa will call you personally that evening to check on you and will continue to monitor your healing. And, if you have a question or concern, he is only a phone call away.
Dr. Costa
Dr. Malone
Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry offers a unique dental care experience to our patients in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas. The crew is committed to protecting and increasing the natural beauty of your smile by employing conservative, cutting-edge techniques that result in attractive, long-lasting smiles!
Our dedicated and experienced team of doctors includes Dr. Stephen Malone, D.M.D., University of Louisville, and Dr. Michael Costa, D.D.S., UNC School of Dentistry, M.H.A., UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in Chapel Hill, NC. They are firm believers in continuing education to provide their patients with the finest possible care.
Drs. Costa and Malone see their patients as real partners in their service. Our team is committed to making your dental care journey as pleasant as possible.
