Bone augmentation, often called bone grafting, is a procedure to replace atrophied or missing bone in the jaw. This procedure is required when the jaw cannot incorporate dental implants successfully. When the bone mass is too thin or soft to keep an implant in place, bone augmentation helps the bone fuse to the dental implant and keep it secure. If a dental implant is placed in a jaw when the bone structure is insufficient, the likelihood of the implant failing increases. The jaw bone maintains its health through the constant motion and pressure of chewing. Because of this, a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth that are left unreplaced will cause your jaw bone to break down and resorb. Even if a tooth has been missing for a year, 25% of the bone has already deteriorated in that period. To avoid bone loss, replacing the lost natural tooth with an immediate dental implant is recommended.
Bone Augmentation
Bone Augmentation Q & A
Why Do You Need Bone Augmentation Surgery?
Patients who experience bone loss may need a bone graft to help preserve their existing teeth or future restoration. Bone loss can be caused by aging, tooth loss, genetic or developmental abnormalities, untreated, periodontal disease, jaw trauma, misaligned teeth, infection, and tumors in the jaw. If you need a tooth extracted and are considering dental implant surgery, your dentist may suggest a bone graft. Bone augmentation surgery is required in half of all dental implant placement surgeries.
Type of Materials Used in a Bone Graft
A dental bone graft is a surgical procedure that uses bone grafting materials to replace lost bone in your jaw and encourage regeneration. The graft material is absorbed by your natural bones as it grows, resulting in a fully integrated area of new bone. These grafts are biodegradable and do not produce an antigen-antibody reaction. These bone transplants act as a mineral reservoir, inducing the production of new bone formation. There are five different types of bone graft materials available:
- Autograft Tissue – The patient’s own bone tissue is used in this procedure. This tissue is extracted from the patient’s chin, shin, or hip.
- Allograft Tissue – This tissue comes from a human donor and is usually cadaver bone that’s treated to make it immune-neutral and disease-free.
- Xenograft Tissue – This process obtains tissue from inorganic portions of animal bones (cows are a common source).
- Alloplast Bone Graft – This material is created using hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring mineral in the bone.
- Ceramic-based Grafts – Grafts made of ceramics alone or in conjunction with additional materials such as calcium or bioactive glass are known as ceramic-based grafts.
The type of bone graft utilized is determined by various factors, including the type of surgery performed, your age, medical history, bone mass, and quality of your natural bones. Consult your oral surgeon to identify the best course of action for your bone augmentation procedure.
Bone Augmentation Techniques
A wide range of bone augmentation methods is applied to address bone defects. And bone grafting is one of many types of bone augmentation procedures available today. Other techniques include:
- Sinus lift or subantral graft – This clinical procedure lifts the sinus floor to increase bone height in your upper jaw above the premolar and molar teeth, enabling dental implant placement.
- Ridge expansion – This surgical treatment separates the jaw bone into two sections to introduce bone graft material, increase bone growth and density, and broaden the jaw to accommodate dental implants.
- Distraction osteogenesis – This treatment plan involves cutting a shorter bone into two pieces, slowly moving them apart, and stimulating new bone growth to fill the space.
- Guided bone regeneration – This surgical technique uses barrier membranes to enhance bone formation at the site of the bone defect.
- Alveolar ridge preservation or socket preservation – Also known as ridge augmentation, is a surgical treatment that prevents bone loss after tooth extraction by immediately placing a bone graft material in the socket and covering it with a barrier membrane.
Bone augmentation procedures may seem time-consuming and intrusive. However, most of these procedures can be accomplished quickly by your dentist. You can have the strong bone structure needed to support dental implants in four to six months and be one step closer to a beautiful smile.
Bone Augmentation Q & A
- What to Expect During a Dental Bone Graft Procedure?
- How to Prepare for Bone Grafting Procedures
- What to Expect After the Procedure
Before your bone transplant procedure, you will meet with a periodontist or oral surgeon to discuss your treatment strategy and the type of bone grafting material being used. The steps of your bone grafting surgery will vary depending on the reason for your treatment but will commonly include the following steps:
- A local anesthetic is used to numb the surgical region by your dental practitioner. You may also require IV sedation if the tissue is taken from your own body or if you struggle with dental anxiety.
- If an autograph is utilized, the dentist will start by obtaining the bone from the intended site. Similarly, if you require a tooth extracted, the surgeon will do so during this procedure. When tooth extraction is combined with bone grafting, the healing process is accelerated.
- Your oral surgeon will then clean the area thoroughly. If you don’t undergo an extraction, your dentist will cut your gum tissue to reveal the bone. The bone graft material will then be attached to the exposed bone.
- The area will be stitched closed once the graft material is in place. The dental professional may utilize pins, plates, wires, cables, or even a titanium screw to hold the soft tissue together. The surgeon will also suture the region together if the bone is taken from your body.
- You can go home the same day as your treatment in most circumstances, but if you had IV sedation or general anesthetic, you might require someone to drive you home. To fully heal and be ready for your dental implant placement, you’ll need four to six months — and sometimes longer. To avoid complications and improve your clinical outcome, your dental professional will provide you with instructions on caring for the region, which you should carefully follow.
Bone augmentation procedures typically take less than 30 to 60 minutes. You can expect to be in our office for 1.5 to 2 hours which accounts for consultation, surgical procedure, and in-office recovery time.
- Before your surgery, your doctor will go through your medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination. Make sure your doctor is aware of any prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, or supplements you’re taking.
- Fasting is required before your surgery to avoid issues during sedation. Before your IV sedation, do not eat or drink anything for at least 8 hours. This includes avoiding food, water, mints, or gum.
- Please plan for someone to accompany you to the clinic, stay with you during the procedure, and drive you home afterward.
- If you regularly wear contacts, we ask that you wear your glasses and a short-sleeved shirt on the day of the treatment.
- Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on what is required days leading up to your surgery and on the day of the procedure. You must follow these instructions to avoid complications.
- Plan on having limited mobility — this is especially crucial if you are having a bone removed from your body, as the recovery may take some time.
After a dental bone graft, you may experience pain, swelling, and bruising. These are common side effects that should subside in a few days. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medications and antibiotics to aid in the healing process.
You may detect tiny bone fragments coming out of the incision during the first several days. These fragments frequently resemble salt or sand grains. This isn’t normally a cause for concern, but follow-up with your dentist to ensure you’re recovering properly and guarantee an optimum clinical outcome.
Each person’s recovery time will be different. Your dentist will monitor your progress after your bone graft and inform you when your new bone formation is strong enough to support the implant placement if you’re waiting for dental implant surgery.
Most people who get dental bone grafts experience little to no discomfort. Just make sure you take all of your medications as prescribed and give heed to your post-operative guidelines.
Tips for a Speedy Recovery
Although you can’t speed up the bone grafting healing process, you can take steps to care for your mouth following surgery and lower your risk of complications like infection, bleeding, or a blood clot.
- A common side effect of dental bone graft surgery is facial swelling. There are, however, methods for actively reducing inflammation. Start by applying an ice pack to the affected area for the first two days after surgery. This approach reduces bleeding and helps healing by preventing blood from entering the gum tissues.
- Hot or spicy food should be avoided for the first 48 hours following surgery since it can induce bleeding and irritate the surgical site. Following that, the basic rule is to eat only soft foods. Because jaw movement can irritate the surgical site, you’ll want to focus on eating foods that need nearly no chewing in the days after surgery. As the incision heals, be sure to follow your dentist’s dietary recommendations.
- It would help if you slept on your back after surgery, with your head elevated and propped up on a pillow. This helps keep blood from accumulating at the bone graft site and reduces inflammation. If you find it difficult to sleep on your back, avoid resting on the same side as your surgical site.
- It’s essential to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. In addition to consuming plenty of water, you should avoid coffee and alcohol, both of which are known to dehydrate the body. Alcohol can slow down the healing process and should be avoided for at least two weeks after surgery, preferably until you have fully recovered.
- You should avoid strenuous physical activity for at least the first few days after surgery since it may interfere with healing. Once you start feeling better, you can gradually resume your normal activities.
- Good dental hygiene is vital if you want to aid the healing process. Brush your teeth gently around the surgical site, and avoid using an electric toothbrush because the vibrations can impede the healing process.
- Avoid smoking before and after your surgical procedure, as it can increase the risk of bone graft failure.
- After any form of oral surgery, saltwater rinses are recommended. Saltwater rinses are not only successful in reducing bacteria in the mouth without irritating the incision, but they are also therapeutic.
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