Dental bone grafts aim to improve jaw bone support where bone loss has occurred. Missing teeth and gum diseases are two common causes of bone loss in the jaw. During the procedure, bone grafts are harvested from other parts of the body, such as the hip or back of the jaw. These grafts are then fused with the natural jawbone. There are different types of dental bone grafts.
Autografts are bones taken from the patient's body, and Allografts are bones taken from a donor. Xenografts are bones taken from animals such as cows, pigs, or coral. Alloplasts are bones made out of synthetic material such as calcium phosphate.
Bone grafts might be necessary for various reasons. These can include patients who are opting for dental implants to replace their missing teeth. These grafts help create strong support for the implants. Patients who suffer from gum disease can also benefit from bone grafting bone lost from the progressive condition. Older candidates who suffer from osteoporosis might need grafts. And patients who have experienced trauma to the jaw or have poor dental hygiene may also benefit from dental bone grafts.
The procedure begins with incisions in the affected area and attaching the graft to the existing bone. Different techniques target various issues. The socket graft technique prevents the supporting bone, also known as the alveolar bone, from disintegrating. Surgeons insert the graft into the socket to hold up the bone for support after tooth removal.
The dental implant procedure can follow 4-6 months after the grafting procedure. The lateral ridge preservation graft helps to widen the width of the jawbone to allow the insertion of a dental implant. A block bone graft is usually done where severe bone loss has compromised the jaw. Surgeons must first harvest a block of bone from the back of the jaw before inserting it into the affected area and supporting it with screws. A sinus lift procedure is usually only performed when the patient opts for an implant in their upper jaw.
After their surgery, patients usually experience some minor swelling and bruising that subsides over time. They need to follow a soft food diet and take antibiotics to prevent infections. Typically, a bone graft can take anywhere from 3 months to a year to fuse with the natural bone.
