Bone Grafting
Major and Minor Bone Grafting
Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies "gets smaller" or resorbs. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for placement of dental implants. Today, we have the ability to "grow bone" where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functional and esthetic appearance
Major Bone Grafting
Bone grafting can provide the proper height and width to areas of the jaws that have suffered resorbtion due to premature tooth loss, disease or injuries. The bone can be obtained from the patient themselves (jaw, hip, or knee), tissue banks or, in some cases, man made sources.
Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum and protect the bone grafting and encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.
Most bone grafting procedures can be performed in an out-patient office or ambulatory surgical facility. Some procedures requiring grafing of large defects, i.e. traumatic injuries, tumors, or congenital defects, may require bone harvesting in an inpatient hospital facility.