Bone Grafting

Types of dental bone grafts

Autogenous Bone Grafts (Autograft)

This approach involves harvesting bone from another site within the patient’s body, typically the chin, jaw, or hip. Because this bone is living tissue, it offers the best chance for successful integration with the existing bone. Autogenous grafts are often considered the gold standard due to their high success rates and biocompatibility.

Allogeneic Bone Grafting (Allograft)

In this procedure, bone is sourced from a human donor, usually from a bone bank. The donor bone is processed to ensure it is sterile and safe for transplantation. Allografts provide an effective alternative to autografts. They eliminate the need for a second surgical site. This method is useful in cases where additional bone is required without the associated risks of harvesting bone from the patient.

Xenogeneic Bone Grafting

(Xenograft) Xenografts use bone material derived from another species, often bovine (cow) bone. The bovine bone is treated to remove organic material, leaving a mineralized scaffold that the patient’s body can gradually replace with new bone. This option is advantageous for patients who prefer not to undergo a second surgical procedure for an autograft.

Synthetic Bone Grafting

Synthetic materials, such as hydroxyapatite or calcium phosphate, can also be used to augment the ridge. These materials serve as a platform for new bone growth and can stimulate the healing process in the body. Synthetic grafts offer the benefit of avoiding issues related to donor site morbidity and the risks associated with biological grafts.

Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR)

Guided Bone Regeneration is a specialized technique that combines bone grafting with barrier membranes to promote bone growth in a controlled environment. The barrier prevents soft tissue from infiltrating the graft site, allowing for more predictable healing and bone formation.

Reasons for bone grafting

There are a wide variety of reasons why bone grafting may be the best option for restoring the jaw bone.

Dental implants– Implants are the preferred replacement method for missing teeth because they restore full functionality to the mouth. However, implants need to be firmly anchored to the jawbone to be effective. If the jawbone lacks the necessary quality or quantity of bone, bone grafting can strengthen and thicken the implant site.

Sinus lift surgery– A sinus lift entails elevating the sinus membrane and grafting bone onto the sinus floor so that implants can be securely placed.

Ridge augmentation– Ridges in the bone can occur due to trauma, injury, birth defects, or severe periodontal disease. The bone graft is used to fill in the ridge and make the jawbone a uniform shape.

What does bone grafting treatment involve?

Bone grafting is a fairly simple procedure that can be performed under local anesthetic; however if large amounts of bone area need to be grafted, general anesthetic may be required.

Initially, the grafting material needs to either be harvested or prepared for insertion. A small incision is made in the gum tissue and then gently separated from the bone. The bone grafting material is then placed at the affected site.

The bone regeneration process may be aided by:

• Gum/bone tissue regeneration– A thin barrier (membrane) is placed below the gum line over the grafting material. This barrier creates enough space for healthy tissue to grow and separates the faster growing gum tissue from the slower growing fibers. This means that bone cells can migrate to the protected area and grow naturally.
• Tissue stimulating proteins– Enamel matrix proteins occur during natural tooth development. Emdogain is a matrix protein product which is usually placed on the affected site before the gum is sutured. It mediates the formation of accellular cementum on the tooth which provides a foundation to allow periodontal attachment to occur. Tissue stimulating proteins help create lost support in areas affected by periodontal defects.
• Platelet-rich growth factors– A high platelet concentration liquid can be used to create a blood clot at the site of a wound. It has recently been discovered that PRGF also stimulates bone growth – meaning a denser graft in a shorter time period.

The gum is sutured in place and a follow-up appointment will need to be made within 10 days to assess progress. Bone grafting is a highly successful treatment and a good base for further periodontal restorations.

If you have any inquiries regarding bone grafting, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our nearest office. You can find us in Daytona Beach and Palm Coast, Florida.