Improve the health of your jaw with a bone graft
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a surgery where the missing bone is replaced to allow for effective dental implants. With our advanced oral technology and procedures, we can even promote new bone growth in that location for optimal results.
Types of bone grafts.
- Autogenous Bone Grafts
Also known as autograft, autogenous bone grafts involve taking samples from your bones located elsewhere and using these samples to rebuild the jawbone. Common harvest areas include the skull, hip, lower leg bone, jaw, and chin. The advantages of such a procedure include increased bone growth and the reduced chances of your body rejecting the bone, as it comes from your own body.
- Allogenic Bone
Allogenic bone (or allograft) is bone harvested from a cadaver. The bone is sterilized and then processed in a freeze-dried method. Allogenic bone grafts serve as a scaffold to guide healing of the jawbone.
- Xenogenic Bone
Xenogenic bone is extracted from another non-living species, like a cow. The bone is processed at high temperatures to sterilize the bone and reduce the risk of contamination and immune rejection. Xenogenic bone does not promote natural bone growth either. However, it does not require a second procedure such as the autograft.
Bone graft substitutes.
In some cases, natural bone extractions and placements may not be an option for patients. Our visionary oral surgeons are skilled at using synthetic materials to mimic the effects of normal bone grafts.
- Graft Composites
Graft composites mix together materials such as collagen / ceramic composite, bone marrow cells, and more to provide stability and generate growth factors.
- Demineralized Bone Matrix (DMB) / Demineralized Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft (DFDBRA)
This is extracted collagen, protein, and growth factors from allograft bones to be used as a bone graft. It can take the form of putty, chips, powder, or gel.
- Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are naturally produced in the body. They regulate and promote bone healing and formation.
Major & Minor Bone Grafting
Missing teeth over a period of time can cause your jaw bone to atrophy, or resorb. This often results in poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for the placement of dental implants as well as long term shifting of remaining teeth and changes to facial structure. Most patients, in these situations, are not candidates for dental implants.
Fortunately, today we have the ability to grow bone where it is 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 and aesthetic appearance.
Major Bone Grafting
Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease, or injuries. The bone is either obtained from a tissue bank or your own bone is taken from the jaw, hip or tibia (below the knee). 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 to protect the bone graft, as well as encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration, or guided tissue regeneration.
Major bone grafts are typically performed to repair defects of the jaws. These defects may arise as a result of traumatic injuries, tumor surgery, or congenital defects. Large defects are repaired using the patient’s own bone. This bone is harvested from a number of different areas depending on the size needed. The skull (cranium), hip (iliac crest), and lateral knee (tibia), are common donor sites. These procedures are routinely performed in an operating room and require a hospital stay.
Get to know us.
At Carolina Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we know how to help you. Our board-certified surgeons and expert staff can provide the care you need to relieve the discomfort you feel.
