The Why and How of Bone Grafting

While placing dental implants is a very straightforward procedure, it is sometimes necessary to perform a not so straightforward procedure to place one correctly. This procedure is a bone graft. Bone grafts can be done all over the body where part of a bone needs to be regenerated. There are also several different methods in which a surgeon is able to replace bone with a bone graft. If you’re curious about why bone grafts are sometimes necessary and how the ways we perform them, you’ve come to the right blog.

Oral surgeons are constantly working against the clock. Once a tooth is lost, bone in the jaw begins to also disappear. After one year of missing a tooth, bone loss can be as severe as 5 percent. Beginning a bone graft can stop the bone loss and retain the integrity of the jaw bone. This in turn makes it possible to properly place a dental implant. In some extreme cases where there is excessive bone loss it is impossible to place a dental implant and restore the function of teeth.

Bone grafting is a science that has been practiced for some time now. New technology has enabled surgeons to create new methodologies in harvesting and utilizing bone. Depending on your unique circumstances there are three different types of bone that will be utilized for your graft:

Autogenous – This graft option is where the patients own bone is used to fill the hole left after a tooth extraction. It is commonly taken from the lower jaw, placed in the socket and the body does it’s healing job to fill the hole.

Xenograft – A xenograft is a graft comprised of bovine bone. Yes, that is cow bone. This sterilized and nutrient dense material mimics that of human bone. Once placed in the socket following an extraction the body heals it filling the gap and allowing for an implant to be placed and a halt to bone loss.

Allograft – An Allograft is very similar to a xenograft, however the bone tissues is harvested from a human cadaver. This tissue is also sterilized before it is placed in the socket and healed over by the jaw. It is just as effective as a xneograft and autogenous graft in restoring the function of the jaw as well as for placing implants.

If you have questions regarding an upcoming dental implant surgery and whether or not you require a bone graft to restore your oral function, give your oral surgeon, Dr. Sedaros, a call today. He will be able to answer your questions and provide you with the best treatment possible.