Over the last several years, dental implant therapy has become increasingly popular. Although people’s oral health is improving, tooth loss is still a widespread occurrence. Life expectancy has increased nowadays, and people expect to stay active well into their old age. Part of these expectations for a long and happy retirement include the capacity to grin confidently and eat their favorite meals.
However, loss of teeth may be inevitable with increasing age, following dental caries, infection, gum diseases, or trauma. Loss of teeth can eventually lead to loss of jawbone or a decrease in the quality or density of the bone. In such cases, bone grafts may be needed to increase the amount of bone or improve jaw support for prosthetic rehabilitation like implants.
Bone grafting helps your body’s natural bone-formation process by bridging the gaps in your jawbone, restoring bone strength and stiffness, and stimulating tissue development.
What is a dental bone graft?
A dental bone graft entails transferring bone graft material to the portion of the jaw that requires support – the location where the dental implant will be placed. Once your dental bone grafting is complete, you will need to wait for it to heal before beginning the dental implant procedure. In regions where bone loss has occurred, a bone graft provides volume and density to your jaw. The bone graft material might come from your own body (autogenous) or a human tissue bank (allograft), or an animal tissue bank (xenograft) or synthetic materials. A bone graft serves as a filler or scaffold for the formation of new bone.
What are the different types of bone grafts procedures?
The various types of bone grafts are:
- Socket Preservation (bone graft at the time of tooth removal)
This form of graft, also known as ridge preservation, is inserted in the socket immediately after tooth extraction. It prevents the socket walls from collapsing in by filling the gap created by the lost tooth. Socket preservation can avoid abnormalities of the jaw caused by tooth removal, like alveolar atrophy. The process starts with a painless tooth extraction. Every effort is taken to protect the surrounding bone and soft tissue, with particular attention paid to avoid fractures of the buccal plate—a variety of techniques and tools aids this procedure. After that, a bone graft material is inserted in the extraction site, it is sutured and may be coated with a resorbable or non-resorbable membrane. Socket preservation helps to preserve the alveolar architecture and decreases ridge width and height loss following tooth extraction. - Guided bone regeneration(bone graft to augment bone before implant is placed)
If you have been missing a tooth for a long time, the bone atrophy can be noticed in the area when tooth was lost. Amont of bone loss can vary depending on how long tooth has been missing, and if there was bone removal procedure done at the time of extraction. In any event, with advance in dental medicine field, we can reverse the bone loss, and regenerate bone in the area, and this procedure is called Guided bone regeneration. Idea behind guided bone regeneration (GBR) is to use a barrier membrane after area is grafted with bone graft material is placed inside the area of bone loss. Biocompatible membranes are used in conjunction with bone transplants and tissue stimulating proteins to achieve this. This procedure attempts to regenerate bone before implants can be placed. New bone can develop in the area where space is formed right adjacent to a bone surface. A membrane is employed to establish this gap, protecting it from the body’s cells, which would otherwise inhibit new bone development. Many different types of membranes may be used, but the one that is chosen must be firm enough to keep the defect space open. Membranes are permeable to vital nutrients, oxygen, bioactive compounds, and fluids but not to epithelial cells. The augmented bone will have a larger volume after GBR, but the gum tissue is not altered. In general, GBR is a safe and effective therapy that regenerates bone in three months to six months. - Bone graft at the time of implant placement
A bone graft at implant placement is a procedure of bone graft that is done at the time of implant placement. If you’ve been without teeth for a long time, your jawbone may be thinner than it was previously. Ridge augmentation enhances the breadth and volume of the jawbone, allowing implants or other restorative solutions to be placed on a secure foundation. The graft will widen your jawbone so that a dental implant may be placed. Bone grafts for dental implants must usually heal entirely before the implant can be implanted. Recovery periods vary depending on the individual. Your dentist may be able to insert a bone transplant and a dental implant simultaneously in some cases. This, however, is determined on a case-by-case basis.
What happens during a bone grafting procedure?
Before the procedure, an oral examination will be performed by your dentist to assess the health of your teeth, gums, and jaw. To establish the amount of your bone loss, dental X-rays or scans will be done. Following that, your dentist will review your treatment choices with you and tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs.
On the day of the procedure, your dentist will first use a local anesthetic to numb the region. Following that, they will make a tiny incision in your gums. The gum tissue is pushed back slightly to reveal the jawbone. Your dentist will use bone grafting material to correct the defect after cleaning and sterilizing the region. For further protection, the bone transplant is frequently wrapped with a membrane. Finally, stitches are used to seal the incision and reposition the gum tissue.
You may have discomfort, swelling, and bruising after a dental bone graft. These are common side effects that will go away within a few days. Pain medications can help with the symptoms. Your dentist may also prescribe antibiotics. This medication should be taken exactly as directed.
If you need a bone grafting procedure or have any questions about the same, our team at Prime dentistry is here to guide you. For more information about bone grafts in Philadelphia, give us a call at (215) 742-1200.
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