Bone Grafting

Bone grafting may be required to address defects in a patient’s jaw. Bone grafting is a form of reconstructive surgery that helps to generate and rebuild bone and increase bone density.

Bone grafting surgery is performed to correct problems that may be the result of:

• Defects present from birth
• Trauma
• Removal of a tumor
• Tooth loss and subsequent loss of bone in the related jaw area

The most common bone grafting procedure is performed to enhance the upper or lower jaw bone in order to increase bone quantity and density in preparation for the placement of dental implants.

When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone often is often affected over time. Patients without enough jaw bone mass are not candidates for dental implants. Bone grafting is often performed to reverse bone loss or enhance existing bone, allowing for the placement of dental implants after the bone graft has healed and created the necessary foundation for the implants.

Bone grafting for the purpose of rebuilding jaw bone to support dental implants can usually be done in our office. The surgeon may recommend that the grafting material be taken from the patient's own bone or from another source. Synthetic material can also be used to generate bone growth. Bone grafting allows for proper support of dental implants or prostheses. Healing time prior to the placement of the implants is generally between 4 - 6 months, though it can sometimes take longer.

After loss of the upper back teeth, your sinuses may enlarge in size and limit the amount of bone height available for the placement of a dental implant. So that implants can be placed, a procedure is completed to replace the bone that has been lost. This is most often done conservatively with a small access through your gums. In more extensive cases, a sinus wall augmentation procedure is indicated. 

If you are experiencing gum disease and your periodontist has noticed a loss of bone as well, bone regeneration may be a good option to restore the health and function of your smile. Bone regeneration is a periodontal surgical procedure that regenerates jaw bone and tissue in order to correct the damage caused by periodontal disease. 

Bone regeneration is often performed to protect your existing teeth and the soft tissues that keep them in place so you can experience an enhanced quality of life as a direct result of improved health, function, and appearance.

During this procedure, your periodontist will place a biocompatible membrane between the gum and the bone, which acts as a barrier. This barrier prevents downgrowth of the gum into the underlying bone as it heals. In some cases, a bone graft, or tissue-stimulating proteins may be placed under the membrane to encourage your body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue. Membranes around teeth are typically designed to dissolve away or reabsorb after a few weeks.