Bone augmentation, often called bone grafting, replaces atrophied or missing bone in the jaw.
When the bone mass is too thin or soft to keep an implant in place, bone grafting 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 jawbone maintains its health through the constant motion and pressure of chewing. When missing teeth are unreplaced, it can cause your jawbone to break down.
Even if a tooth has been missing for a year, 25 percent 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.
Who Needs Bone Grafting?
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 mineral reservoirs, 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 jawbone 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 bone defect site.
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.
What to Expect During a Dental Bone Graft 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.
What to Expect After the Procedure
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. Take all your medications as prescribed and give heed to your post-operative guidelines.
If you have any questions about bone grafting, or any other procedure we offer, please contact us today. We have two convenient locations in Greeley and Thornton, Colorado.
