Bone Grafting

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of bone loss in the oral cavity, though there are others such as ill-fitting dentures and facial trauma. The bone grafting procedure is an excellent way to replace lost bone tissue and encourage natural bone growth. Bone grafting in Lehi is a versatile and predictable procedure which fulfills a wide variety of functions.

Dentists may perform a bone graft to create a stable base for dental implants, halt gum disease progression, or enhance smile aesthetics.

There are several types of dental bone grafts. The following are the most common:

• Autogenous bone graft –

  This type of graft involves removing bone from another part of the body and implanting it in the mouth. Common donor sites for bone grafting include the iliac section of the pelvis, the chin and the posterior third molar areas of the jaw. Dentists or surgeons generally harvest a large amount of bone from the hip or shin bone (tibia) when needed.

• Allograft –

  Laboratories can create synthetic (man-made) bone and use it in the bone grafting procedure. A bone bank (cadaver bone) can also provide bone for grafting.

• Xenograft –

  This is the implantation of bovine (cow) bone. Experts have used xenografts successfully for many years, proving them to be perfectly safe. It provides ample bone without requiring a secondary donor site.

Reasons for bone grafting

There are a wide variety of reasons why bone grafting may be the best option for restoring the jaw bone.

• Dental implants – Dentists prefer implants for replacing missing teeth because they fully restore mouth functionality; however, they must anchor firmly to the jawbone to be effective. If the jawbone lacks the necessary quality or quantity of bone, bone grafting can strengthen and thicken the implant site.
• Sinus lift – A sinus lift involves elevating the sinus membrane and grafting bone onto the sinus floor to securely place implants.
• Ridge augmentation – Ridges in the bone can occur due to trauma, injury, birth defects or severe periodontal disease. The bone graft fills in the ridge and shapes the jawbone uniformly.
• Nerve repositioning – If dentists need to move the inferior alveolar nerve for implant placement, they may perform a bone grafting procedure. The inferior alveolar nerve allows feeling and sensation in the lower chin and lip.

What does bone grafting treatment involve?

Dentists can perform bone grafting under local anesthesia, but grafting large amounts of bone may require general anesthesia.

Initially, the surgeon harvests or prepares the grafting material for insertion. The surgeon makes a small incision in the gum tissue and gently separates it from the bone. The bone grafting material is then placed at the affected site.

The bone regeneration process may be aided by:

• Gum/bone tissue regeneration – A thin barrier (membrane) is placed below the gum line over the grafting material. This barrier creates enough space for healthy tissue to grow and separates the faster growing gum tissue from the slower growing fibers. This means that bone cells can migrate to the protected area and grow naturally.
• Tissue stimulating proteins – Enamel matrix proteins occur during natural tooth development. Emdogain is a matrix protein product which is usually placed on the affected site before the gum is sutured. It mediates the formation of accellular cementum on the tooth which provides a foundation to allow periodontal attachment to occur. Tissue stimulating proteins help to create lost support in areas affected by periodontal defects.
• Platelet-rich growth factors – A high platelet concentration helps form a blood clot at the wound site. It has recently been discovered that PRGF also stimulates bone growth – meaning a denser graft in a shorter time period.

The gum is sutured in place and a follow up appointment will need to be made within 10 days to assess progress. Bone grafting in Lehi is a highly successful treatment and a good base for further periodontal restorations.

If you have any questions about bone grafting, please ask your dentist.