Bone Grafting
Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth starts to remodel or is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for placement of dental implants.
We now have the ability to grow bone where it's needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and esthetic appearance. The bone graft procedures are referred to as:
Sinus Lift Procedure
This procedure involves elevating the sinus membrane above the upper jaw and placing the bone graft onto the sinus floor, allowing implants to be placed in the back part of the upper jaw.
Ridge-Augmentation and Socket Preservation
After a tooth has been extracted bone loss begins and can continue over many years. If you plan on a dental implant, a simple procedure called Socket Preservation can decrease this bone loss and at times increase the amount of bone available for a dental implant. If a tooth has been extracted over a year ago the jaw bone may be insufficient for an implant and a bone graft is placed to increase the jaw height and/or width.
Bone grafting procedures may be performed separately or together with extractions or the implant surgery itself. There are several areas of the body which are suitable for attaining bone grafts. In the maxillofacial region, bone grafts can be taken from inside the mouth, in the area of the chin or third molar region or in the upper jaw behind the last tooth. In more extensive situations, a greater quantity of bone can be attained from the hip or the outer aspect of the tibia at the knee.
