What Is Bone Grafting
Missing teeth over time can lead to the atrophy or resorption of your jawbone. This often results in insufficient bone quality and quantity for dental implant placement, as well as long-term shifting of remaining teeth and changes to facial structure. In such cases, many patients are not suitable candidates for dental implants.
Thankfully, modern techniques allow us to grow bone where needed. This enables us to place implants of the proper size while restoring functionality and aesthetics.
Major Bone Grafting
Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure caused by previous extractions, gum disease, or injuries. The bone can be sourced from a tissue bank or harvested from your own jaw, hip, or tibia (below the knee). Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the upper back jaw. Additionally, special membranes that dissolve under the gum can be used to protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration, a process known as guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.
Major bone grafts are typically performed to repair jaw defects caused by traumatic injuries, tumor surgeries, or congenital issues. Large defects are repaired using the patient’s own bone, harvested from various sites depending on the needed size. Common donor areas include the skull (cranium), hip (iliac crest), and lateral knee (tibia). These procedures are usually done in an operating room and require a hospital stay.