In some cases, a patient requires a bone graft in order to restore enough mass so that dental implants can be used. The loss of bone mass can be because of infections, abscesses, disease, or external trauma. Also, if a patient has been without teeth in the target area for a long time, that area may not have enough bone left for dental work.The first step is finding enough bone or tissue sources for grafting to the target area.

This can be divided into the following:

Autograft / Autologous Bone Sources – Bone mass can be taken from the patient, normally from the chin area or the iliac crest of the pelvis. On the positive side, this kind of bone mass has the least amount of issues, since the bone is from the patient. However, this also means that there will be additional surgery.

Allograft Bone Sources – Bone mass can be taken from another person or sourced from a bone bank. Allograft bones can be fresh, fresh-frozen, or freeze-dried.

Artificial / Alloplastic Bone Sources – Graft substitutes are bone like substances made from ceramics or naturally occurring minerals. Various biological and mineral additives can minimize infection and rejection.

Xenograft Bone Sources – This is bone taken from animals, though the bone has to be treated for use.

After the bone sources have been found and approved for use, surgery will then be performed. There are two kinds of surgery for bone grafting: In one, there may not be enough bone to cover the implant, and so additional bone is needed at the sides. In the other, there simply isn’t enough bone for the implant to be used, and so a larger bone graft is necessary. Normally, the bone graft will heal and be usable after several months.

We can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Call us today – (703) 848-8906

Bone Graft Dentists

DID YOU KNOW?

Bone graft surgery is necessary to add/improve hard bone volume of the jaw.
 

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