Dental Bone Grafting – Daly CIty

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Major & Minor Bone Grafting

Missing teeth over a period of time can cause your jaw bone to atrophy, or resorb. This often results in poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for the placement of dental implants as well as long term shifting of remaining teeth and changes to facial structure. Most patients, in these situations, are not candidates for dental implants.

Fortunately, today we have the ability to grow bone where it is needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, but it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.

Major Bone Grafting

Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease, or injuries. The bone is either obtained from a tissue bank or your own bone is taken from the jaw, hip or tibia (below the knee). Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum to protect the bone graft, as well as encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration, or guided tissue regeneration.

Major bone grafts are typically performed to repair defects of the jaws. These defects may arise as a result of traumatic injuries, tumor surgery, or congenital defects. Large defects are repaired using the patient’s own bone. This bone is harvested from a number of different areas depending on the size needed. The skull (cranium), hip (iliac crest), and lateral knee (tibia), are common donor sites. These procedures are routinely performed in an operating room and require a hospital stay.

 

Bone Grafting FAQ

What is a bone graft?

Bone grafting is a very common procedure that is performed in our office almost every day. During the process, bone grafting materials are placed in the deteriorated jaw to bulk it up. The body recognizes the grafting material and uses it as scaffolding to build new bone. Bone grafting is most often performed to prepare for a dental implant, but it may be also used at the time of a tooth extraction to preserve the site.

Why do I lose bone?

The jawbone relies heavily on constant stimulation by the chewing and biting forces of teeth to maintain its mass. Thus, when a tooth is missing, the jawbone begins to deteriorate, or resorb, almost immediately.

Why do I need a bone graft?

Eventually, jawbone resorption has negative effects on a person’s health and the aesthetics of his or her face, causing a sunken, wrinkly, aged look. Bone grafting is the first step in healing the jawbone.

Where do bone graft materials come from?

Bone graft materials can come from the patient (chin, upper jaw, hip, leg, and skull), from bovine sources (cows), or from human cadavers. There are many different types of natural and synthetic grafting materials, each with its own pros and cons. We will help you decide which source is right for your case.
Does bone grafting hurt?
Some patients experience minor discomfort following bone grafting for a day or two. Usually, all that is needed to minimize the soreness is an over the counter pain medication.

How long does bone grafting take?

While the bone grafting procedure itself is quick and easy, the continual bone growth phase that follows can take a four to six months before the site is ready to accept a dental implant.

 

For more information on bone grafting, please call Archstone Oral and Facial Surgery!