BONE GRAFTING

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 also restores 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 used that dissolve under the gum to protect the bone graft and encourage regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration, or guided tissue regeneration.

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