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Bone grafting for Implant Placement
Major and Minor Bone Grafting
Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies (deteriorates) and is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants.
Today, we have the ability to augment (grow) bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, but it also gives us a chance to restore functionality with an esthetic appearance.
Major Bone Grafting
Bone grafting can also repair future implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, periodontal disease or injuries. The bone is either obtained from a tissue bank or your own bone is taken from the jaw or chin. Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum and protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.
Sinus Augmentation Procedure
The maxillary sinuses are behind your cheeks and above upper back teeth. Sinuses are like empty rooms that have nothing in them. Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend up into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are removed, there is often just a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth and many times the sinus will “drop” into the extraction site. Dental implants need bone to hold them in place. When the sinus wall is very thin, it is impossible to place dental implants in this bone.
There is a solution and it’s called a sinus elevation graft or sinus lift graft. The dental implant surgeon lifts the sinus membrane upward and donor bone is inserted into the floor of the sinus. Keep in mind that the floor of the sinus is the roof of the upper jaw. After several months of healing, the bone becomes part of the patient’s jaw and dental implants can be inserted and stabilized in this new sinus bone.
The sinus graft makes it possible for many patients to have dental implants when years ago there was no other option other than wearing loose dentures.
Guided Bone Regeneration
Guided Tissue Bone Regeneration "regenerates" the previously lost bone support to the teeth. These techniques utilize bone grafts (donor or synthetic) and/or proteins which promote your bone to regenerate.
