Bone grafting is the process of restoring the bone in the jaw that has been lost due to one of the following reasons:
Areas where teeth have been missing for a long time.
A traumatic injury to the face
A tooth developmental defect
Bone grafting can be done around existing teeth and implants or after teeth have been lost to prepare the site for implant placement.
Bone grafting around existing teeth and implants:
In cases of periodontal disease, a grafting procedure may be necessary to address the bony defects around a tooth or implant that have been caused by the progression of periodontal disease. A bone graft can replace missing supporting bone around teeth or dental implants with material from the patient’s own body, or with a synthetic or natural substitute. The bone graft not only replaces missing bone but also helps your body to regenerate the missing bone.
Bone grafting in preparation for implant placement:
If you are missing teeth and are in need of dental implants a key factor in the dental implant procedure is having enough bone in the jaw to support the implants. Patients who lack sufficient amounts of bone needed to sustain single or multiple implants may be in need of a bone graft. This gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, thus enhancing the long-term success of the implant.
Bone Graft Types
Autogenous Grafts
Autogenous bone grafts involve using grafting material made from your own bone. The bone is typically harvested from the wisdom teeth area and transplanted to the site requiring the implant. The benefit of this type of graft is that it is your own live bone, meaning it contains all the necessary growth factors that optimize bone growth. Also, the transplanted bone is natural, reducing the risk of rejection and infection.
Non-Autogenous Bone Grafts
Non-Autogenous bone grafts can be either harvested from a human cadaver (known as allograft) or from another species, usually cows, sheep or pigs (known as xenograft). Both forms of bone grafts are processed using different methods to avoid the potential for immune rejection and contamination. Both grafting materials cannot produce new bone on their own. Rather, they serve as a framework, or scaffold, over which bone from the surrounding bony walls can grow into to fill the defect or void.
Ridge Augmentation
After tooth extraction, the ridge of bone that holds the tooth in place will naturally decrease in size, as there is no longer a tooth in place. A ridge augmentation is performed to restore and maintain the natural bone pattern and gum line that was damaged due to bone loss and the change in structure after extraction. By reconstructing the alveolar ridge, the procedure can also create an improved aesthetic appearance for patients. If you are missing teeth and are in need of dental implants a key factor in the dental implant procedure is having enough bone in the jaw to support the implants. Patients who lack sufficient amounts of bone needed to sustain single or multiple implants may be in need of a ridge augmentation. This gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, thus enhancing the long-term success of the implant.
What does the procedure entail?
Dr. Kashlan will begin the procedure by administering a local anesthetic and create incisions to expose the area being treated. Next, he will place the bone graft and secure it using titanium screws. Lastly, he will stitch the area to close it. Healing will differ from patient to patient, however, it usually doesn’t exceed six months.
Socket Preservation
When you lose a tooth or have it extracted, your jawbone will begin to slowly resorb. Your tooth holds the socket in place and without it, your bone will begin to resorb into your body and the socket will collapse. Additionally, since your jawbone no longer receives stimulation from the missing tooth, it will resorb and shrink. When bone loss is extensive, the placement of a dental implant may no longer be a viable solution. Not only that, but treatment will also become more expensive, invasive and time-consuming. Socket preservation is a form of bone grafting conducted immediately after the removal of a tooth, to stabilize the bone in the empty socket.
What does the procedure entail?
Once Dr. Kashlan extracts the tooth, he will begin to place bone-grafting material in the empty socket. This material is aimed to promote and regrow bone in the socket. Next, he will place a special membrane which will protect the area. The healing process will last between three to five months at which point your dentist can insert a dental implant.
Sinus Lift
When replacing posterior upper teeth with dental implants, one of the limiting factors is the amount of bone available between the gums and the maxillary sinus. If there is insufficient bone to allow for the placement of an implant, Dr. Kashlan may recommend a procedure called sinus augmentation or a sinus lift.
What does the procedure entail?
First, Dr. Kashlan reviews your medical history, as well as the health of your sinuses. Then, the anatomy of your upper jaw and sinuses is examined with the use of CT scan. We use CT scans to accurately measure the height and width of your existing bone.
Once its been determined that you’re a candidate for the sinus lift procedure, local anesthesia will be administered before the procedure begins. To access the sinus cavity, Dr. Kashlan will create a tiny opening in the bone. The sinus membrane is then gently lifted upward and bone grafting material is inserted along the existing bone and under the raised sinus membrane. The grafting material serves to stimulate bone growth and secure the sinus cavity in its proper position.
The bone and any bone grafting material must be thoroughly integrated for the dental implant to be successful. Complete and successful healing may take several months, or in certain cases, implants can be placed at the same time, shortening the healing process. Dr. Kashlan will determine which option is best for you.
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