What Is Bone Grafting?

Bone Grafting is the procedure of adding bone to an area of the mouth where it is missing. It can be used in any area of the mouth where it is needed.  When adding bone to a patient’s mouth, the dentist will use one of three types of bone: autogenous, allograft, or alloplasts.  Autogenous bone is bone that belongs to the patient receiving it.  Allograft bone refers to donor bone and alloplasts are synthetic bone substitutes. The dentist may use a combination of the above as well.

In conjunction with the bone, the dentist may add PRP, a healing agent that comes from your blood and is accessed through the IV.  The area will be closed off with either artificial collagen or donor membrane.

Why Is Bone Grafting Performed?

Bone grafting is performed for two reasons: to create enough bone for dental implants or to fill out bone deterioration under the gums.  Bone creation is often needed when a patient has been without teeth for a while or for another reason has lost bone in the area where the implant will be placed. The dental implant will need the bone in order to hold it in place.  If the bone grafting is to fill out the bone alone, the reason is generally cosmetic or for gum contour reasons.

Time Frame of Bone Grafting

Many times the dental implant can be placed at the same time the bone grafting surgery is performed. However, this will often depend on the facility that your dental implants and bone grafting are being conducted in and the size of the area that has to be grafted.

When bone grafting is done before the dental implant is placed, healing time for the bone to heal prior to having the implant placed can be from 4 to 6 months.

Sinus grafts and bone grafts assist in improving bone structure prior to implant placement. These procedures can change your eligibility for implants by restoring bone to secure your implants and provide a firm foundation for your replacement teeth.

Personally, I use modern technology, including digital radiography and cone beam scanning, to determine jawbone density. If yours is lacking sufficient mass, I may suggest a sinus graft or bone graft. Here’s an overview of both procedures:

Sinus Grafts: This procedure improves bone in the area above the upper back teeth. I’ll lift the floor of the sinus cavity and place a collage membrane underneath. The bone that forms following the grafting process is oftentimes stronger than natural bone, which makes a sinus graft an optimal procedure to ensure a solid foundation for implant placement. Depending on your unique situation, I may insert your implants when I perform your sinus graft, or wait until the newly grafted bone heals.

Bone Grafts: I can perform a bone graft in any area of the mouth where bone mass has deteriorated. This surgical procedure involves accessing the bone through the gums and inserting supplemental tissue. As with a sinus graft, I’m often able to place implants immediately. If the bone graft area is large, however, I prefer to wait until the tissue heals.

To perform sinus and bone grafts, I can use your own bone tissue, donor bone, or synthetic substitutes. I’ll explain the benefits of each option and work with you to decide the optimal choice for your individual situation. At my Dental Implant Center, patient safety is a top priority. Rest assured that the donor bone tissue that I use comes from a federally regulated tissue bank and has been treated to remove all blood products.

I want to make your smile the best that it can be. Reserve your appointment today at Dental Implant Center, a North Dallas leader in implant dentistry.