Understanding Bone Grafts

There are many reasons why people come to our Melbourne, Florida office in search of the help of an oral surgeon. From wisdom teeth to dental implants, we can reconstruct or repair nearly any maxillofacial abnormality, trauma, or change. One procedure we stand by and rely on to ensure our surgeries are effective and long-lasting is the bone graft.  Performing a bone graft means that we can regenerate bone in an area where bone atrophy has occurred. This science has many applications and for an oral surgeon it is a widely used tool of the trade.

The jaw bone is susceptible to to atrophy and degeneration more than any other bone in the body. This is because tooth loss causes the bone to become weakend and it is readily reabsorbed back into the body soon after. For patients seeking dental implants this loss of bone make make the procedure impossible; however, the use of a bone graft can be used to restore the bone and make successful dental implant placement possible.

Types of Bone Grafts

In order to encourage bone to regrow in an area where the density has been lost, an oral surgeon must place healthy tissue for the bone to grow around. This tissue must be osteoconductive in order to serve as a framework for new bone and stimulate new bone to grow. There are many materials available to oral surgeons to perform a successful bone graft they are:

Autograft: An autograft is a bone graft using bone material from the patient. This bone is typically harvested from the hip or tibia, and is transplanted into the jaw where bone is to be generated.

Allograft: An allograft is bone tissue provided by a donor for use in a bone graft.

Xenograft: In some cases anoral surgeon may suggest the use of a xenograft, which is  purified bone tissue taken from another species such as pig or cow bones to use in a bone graft.

Each of these tissues are used successfully to regrow bone in patients requiring dental implants or facial reconstruction with the assistance of a bone graft. Depending on your, condition Dr. Sedaros will be able to help you choose the best type of tissue to facilitate your bone graft.

Reasons for Bone Grafts

Major Bone Grafting – Major bone grafting is a technique used to repair a jawbone that has suffered bone loss due to tooth loss, gum disease, or traumatic injuries. It is also used to correct congenital defects. After the jaw is repaired and restored it is possible for the oral surgeon to place dental implants to improve aesthetics and function of the mouth. These types of major bone grafts require a hospital stay and are performed in an operating room.

Sinus Lift –  A sinus lift is a type of bone graft that is used after a patient has had a tooth that extended into the maxillary sinuses removed. The sinuses are an area with nothing in them; however, if a tooth that naturally extended into them is removed, there is only a small piece of bone between this fragile area and the world. Sinus lift grafts, or sinus grafts enable Dr. Sedaros to grow bone in this sensitive area to prepare it for a dental implant that will be placed once the new bone is stabilized. This procedure usually must be done in two appointments, the bone must be allowed to heal in the sinus before an implant can be properly placed.  

Ridge Expansion – Ridge expansion bone grafts are used if some of the dental ridge has been reabsorbed by the body. The ridge of the jaw is expanded by mechanical means and bone grafting material is placed inside to heal and generate new bone. After this procedure Dr. Sedaros is also able to place dental implants.

Suffering from bone loss in the jaw is a very serious condition. If you are in need of a dental implant but are unsure if the your jawbone is strong enough to provide a healthy base for it, contact us today. Dr. Sedaros will examine you and determine if a bone graft is right for you.