What is bone grafting in dentistry?

Bone grafting involves giving the jawbone a sufficient shape, width, or height for a dental implant to be placed. A missing tooth can cause the jawbone to recede. In some cases, however, there are alternative solutions to bone grafting.

Why does the bone have to be built up before placing the implant?

At the first treatment appointment, the dental surgeon performs a preliminary examination, creating a panoramic X-ray of the patient's oral cavity. If a more precise assessment of the jawbone's condition is necessary, a 3D X-ray is also taken. If it then turns out that the bone volume is not sufficient for a dental implant, the implantologist must augment the bone.

Bone graft surgery makes the bone wider and taller. This is done either before or when the implant is placed. Bone augmentation is usually performed under local anesthesia, which is painless.

Proceed

The dental surgeon places the bone material where there is insufficient bone volume. Gradually, natural bone forms, replacing the bone material. Usually, you have to wait 6 months before the dental implant can be placed. There are three dental bone substitutes: synthetic, autogenous and allogeneic.

Synthetic material (alloplastic bone substitute or Bio-Oss)

This material is the most commonly used. It is synthetically produced, contains calcium (hydroxyapatite) and has bone-forming properties. It is gradually replaced by natural bone.

Autogenous material

Autogenous material is the body's bone transplant. A small amount is usually taken from the chin area or lower wisdom teeth, and a larger amount is usually taken from the shinbone or hip joint. This method is rarely used. There is no risk of disease transmission.

Allogeneic material

The bone material is from another person, the donor. There are special donor banks for this. This bone material is used very rarely to prevent disease transmission. Dentist in Arlington VA do not use this material.

The price of a dental implant transplant depends on the extent of the transplant. It is not covered by health insurance. A cost estimate is prepared before the operation.

Several methods exist to increase bone volume, such as filling and sinus lifts.

Bone filling after tooth extraction

If the tooth is still present during the implant treatment, it must be extracted and the alveolus, i.e., the gap created by the tooth extraction, filled. A biomaterial (Bio-Oss) is used for this, which allows the implant to be placed after three months of healing. This procedure is minimally invasive but sometimes not sufficient. If this is the case, the bone must be built another way.

The procedure for filling the bone:

Sinus lift

The sinus (jaw cavity) is above the upper molars and premolars. Since the sinus is below the root of the tooth, the dental surgeon may not be able to properly anchor the implant (there is a risk that the implant would be half stuck in the sinus cavity as the bone is not dense enough). One must therefore lift the bony floor of the maxillary sinus. This procedure is called a sinus lift. This lifting of the bone allows the implant to be placed.

The dental surgeon loosens the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus and thus creates a cavity into which the bone replacement material is filled. This way, the maxillary sinus mucosa can be placed in the desired position. The patient's bone cells form new bone tissue within 3 to 6 months.