Bone Grafting
Why do I Need Bone Grafting?
When you have missing teeth, over time the jaw bone will shrink because there are no teeth to hold the bone in place. This result often leaves poor quality and quantity of bone which is not suitable for dental implant placement. By grafting bone to the damaged area, you will now be able to have an implant of proper width and length, and functionality of your teeth, and your esthetic appearance will dramatically improve. Bone grafting is also used to repair supporting bone around your teeth that has been damaged from periodontal disease.
What does Bone Grafting Involve?
The bone used is either your own bone taken from the jaw, hip, or tibia (below the knee), or obtained from a tissue bank. Special membranes may be used to protect the bone graft and promote natural healing and bone growth – this is known as guided bone regeneration. During the bone grafting procedure, we will fold back your gum tissue and fill your damaged area with bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins to help your body regenerate tissue and bone. (See Figure 2.)
The Benefits of Bone Grafting.
By regenerating bone tissue and eliminating bacteria damage your teeth will be healthier and will increase the chance of keeping your natural teeth. If you are considering implants and have missing teeth, bone grafting will allow you to get implants even if you don’t have sufficient bone to support the implants.