Bone grafting is a procedure done to repair and restore bone that has been damaged or lost. This bone loss can be caused by gum disease, trauma, or tooth loss. Bone grafting is most commonly done in the jaw and around the teeth.
What is Bone Graft?
Bone graft is a medical procedure that involves the transplantation of bone tissue to repair or replace damaged or missing bones in the body. This process helps regenerate new bone growth in areas where there may have been significant trauma, injury, or loss of bone density due to conditions like osteoporosis. The use of bone grafts has become increasingly common in orthopedic surgery and dentistry as it provides an effective solution for repairing fractures, fusing joints, improving spinal stability, and supporting dental implants.
A dental bone graft can restore the natural shape of the gum line and protect the jaw from further deterioration. A dentist can perform a bone grafting procedure to restore the natural shape of a collapsed area of the jaw.
Types of Bone Grafts
There are three types of bone graft procedures available:
Autogenous grafts involve taking bone from the chin or the back of the mouth and transplanting it to the area in need. If enough bone is not available in the donor site, a sinus lift can be done to access the necessary area. Allogenic grafts are performed using cadaveric, bovine, or synthetic bone material. These materials help promote new bone growth and can be used in conjunction with an autogenous graft. Xenogeneic grafts are completed using a bone from another species, such as a horse or a cow. This type of graft is not used as frequently due to the possibility of rejection. Also known as xenografts, this type of graft is used very rarely. In most instances, the dentist will recommend the autogenous graft technique due to the lower rate of complications.
When is a Bone Graft needed?
Dental implants need a proper amount of bone to support them in place. A bone graft procedure creates the bone for dental implants by transplanting donor tissue or synthetic materials to the site. This prepares the site for the dental implant and ensures that the implant will be secure and stable in the jaw.
If a patient doesn’t have enough healthy jawbone mass to support an implant, they will be unable to receive the implant.
To have a consultation with our dentist, Dr. Shirley Zao, please schedule an online appointment or call us at (925) 847-8790, and we will be happy to help.
