Bone Grafting

Dental conditions like tooth loss can cause the bone that holds the tooth to deteriorate and lose its standard height and shape. Tooth loss can be due to numerous reasons like periodontal disease, accidents, and decay.  The bone tissue lost because of such conditions is restored through a procedure known as bone grafting. Bone grafting involves the use of bone fragments from another source and their placement in the affected area, typically done before a dental implant procedure.

As the natural bone grows, it will replace the grafted portion and result in a completely integrated region of the new bone.  Radiant Dentistry of Woburn can provide you with the assistance of an experts’ team to help you understand bone grafting.

Classification of Bone Grafting

All types of grafting material are processed to be safe to use and to avoid rejection from the body’s immune system. Based on the type of material used for the graft, bone grafting is classified as follows:

Autograft is the case where the bone fragment grafted is taken from a bone inside the body. This type of procedure has two surgery sites. One is where the bone fragment is taken from, and the other is where the portion is to be placed. It is a common type of bone graft.

When the bone fragment of a deceased donor is taken from a tissue bank, the procedure is termed as an allograft. The fragment used is processed in the laboratory beforehand to make it suitable for grafting.

The bone fragment can also be taken from an animal, usually a cow, and can be grafted after processing and sterilizing it. This graft is termed as xenograft. Bone grafts can also be human-made. This type of graft is termed an allograft. An allograft consists of an allograft bone used in combination with other materials like Grafton and ortholast.

Grafting material also comes in a synthetic form, which is injected directly using a syringe. The injected material can be found in the form of a powder, putty, granules, or gel.

Bone Grafting Procedure

It is a minor surgical procedure and does not require multiple visits to the dentist. Our dental team will begin the process by anesthetizing the affected area. Small incisions are made to expose the underlying bone of the gum tissue.

If there is any additional cleaning required, it is done, and the processed bone graft is placed in the affected area. This graft will act as a scaffold, around which the new bone cells will be deposited.

The new growing bone tissue will eventually absorb the grafted piece. An organic barrier may be placed over the grafted portion to avoid extra growth in the areas where the regenerated bone will grow.

Post-Procedureal Expectations

After the procedure, the individual’s gums may feel sore, swollen, and bruised. They may even bleed slightly at times. These are typical side-effects and fade away as the gum tissue heals.

It will take about seven to nine months for the bone tissue to heal completely and become functional. Until the bone heals, it is recommended to eat soft foods and avoid hard ones. 

Visit Us For Bone Grafting

If you have been told that you are not a candidate for dental implants because you have insufficient bone left in the jaw, bone grafting procedures can help you augment the jawbone to sufficient levels to get the dental implants you need and restore your smile. Contact our office today to see what bone grafting options are available to you and to schedule a consultation with our bone grafting specialist.