Over time, missing teeth can lead to jaw bone atrophy or resorption, compromising the quality and quantity of bone needed for dental implant placement. This condition often results in the shifting of remaining teeth and noticeable changes in facial structure. Consequently, many patients facing these issues may not immediately qualify for dental implants without undergoing preparatory dental treatments.
Advancements in dental technology now allow for the growth of bone in necessary areas. This development not only facilitates the placement of dental implants that are adequately long and wide but also helps in restoring both functionality and aesthetic appearance of the teeth and mouth.
Understanding Major Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a critical procedure aimed at repairing implant sites with insufficient bone structure due to factors such as previous tooth extractions, gum disease, or physical injuries. The replacement bone used in grafts may come from a tissue bank or be harvested from the patient’s own body, typically from the jaw, hip, or tibia (below the knee). For those with bone deficiencies in the upper posterior jaw, sinus bone grafts are often recommended.
Additionally, the procedure may involve the use of special membranes that dissolve under the gums to protect the new bone graft and promote further bone regeneration. This technique is known as guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.
Major bone grafts are not only used for implant preparation but are also essential for repairing significant defects in the jaws. These defects could stem from traumatic injuries, surgeries to remove tumors, or congenital anomalies. For large defects, the patient’s own bone is usually preferred and can be sourced from various locations such as the skull, hip, or lateral knee depending on the required size. These extensive procedures typically take place in an operating room and may require a hospital stay.
Types of Grafting Material
- Autogenous Bone Grafts: Autogenous bone grafts, also known as autografts, involve using the patient’s own bone harvested from another area of their body. Common donor sites include the chin, jaw, lower leg bone, hip, or skull. Autografts are advantageous because the graft material contains living cellular elements that enhance bone growth, eliminating the risk of rejection since it comes from the patient’s own body. However, one drawback is that an additional surgical procedure is required to harvest the bone from the donor site, which may not be recommended depending on the patient’s condition.
- Allogenic Bone Grafts (Allografts): Allografts are composed of demineralized, freeze-dried bone derived from human cadaver donors. This bone cannot produce new bone on its own, but rather serves as a scaffold over which the patient’s surrounding bony walls can grow to fill the defect or void.
- Xenogenic Bone Grafts (Xenografts): Xenografts are made from deproteinized, non-living bone harvested from another species, typically bovine (cow) bone. Like allografts, xenografts do not contain viable cellular elements, but provide a structural framework that allows the patient’s own bone to grow and regenerate within the graft material. Both allografts and xenografts offer the advantage of not requiring a secondary procedure to harvest the patient’s bone, as is needed for autografts. However, because these options lack the bone-forming properties of autografts, bone regeneration may take longer and have a less predictable outcome. Additionally, the procedure may involve the use of special membranes that dissolve under the gums to protect the new bone graft and promote further bone regeneration. This technique is known as guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.