Similar to placement of a screw in a block of wood, when the thickness of the block of wood is insufficient, placement of the screw in that block of wood will result in disintegration of the block of wood and formation of wood splinters – – the block of wood needs to be thicker than the size of the screw. Likewise, when the thickness of the woodblock is less than the length of the screw, the screw will penetrate the other side of the woodblock. Implants thrive and consolidate to the jaw bone when fully confined within a block of bone. Only under this circumstance, the bone can fully engulf the Implant and “integrate” or accept it. Simply put, a bone graft may be required to create a stable base for dental implant placement.
The bone grafting procedure is an excellent way to replace lost bone tissue and encourage natural bone growth. Bone grafting is a versatile and predictable procedure.
There are several types of dental bone grafts. The following are the most common:
Autogenous bone graft – In this type of graft, the bone is removed from elsewhere in the body and implanted in the mouth. A Common donor site is the posterior third molar area of the jaw.
Allograft – Synthetic bone (man-made) can be created in the laboratory and used in the bone grafting procedure. Bone can also be obtained from a bone bank (cadaver bone). https://youtu.be/fRCGI3YNai0
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 – Implants are the preferred replacement method for missing teeth because they restore full functionality to the mouth; however, implants need to be firmly anchored 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 entails elevating the sinus membrane and grafting bone onto the sinus floor so that implants can be securely placed. A dental implant is essentially an artificial tooth root which is attached to the jaw bone. Eventually, a replacement tooth or bridge will be firmly fixed to this root, restoring complete function to the tooth. The key to a successful and long-lasting implant is the quality and quantity of jawbone to which the implant will be attached. If bone has been lost due to injury or periodontal disease, a sinus augmentation can raise the sinus floor to allow for new bone formation.
In the most common sinus augmentation technique, a tiny incision is made near the upper premolar or molar region to expose the jawbone. A small opening is cut into the bone and the membrane lining the sinus on the other side of the opening is gently pushed upward. The underlying space is filled with bone graft material and the incision is closed. The implants can often be placed at the same time as a sinus lift; this will depend on the individual case. Sinus augmentation has been shown to increase the success of dental implant procedures.
Block Grafts – Black Grafts are autogenous bone graft – In this type of graft, the bone is removed from elsewhere in the body and implanted in the mouth. Dr. Woo typically harvests the bone from the back portion of the mandible. This is a common “donor sites” for bone grafting and presents the least invasive operation and quickest recovery.
Ridge Augmentation – “Ridges” refers to the U-shaped portion of the facial bones supporting the roots of the natural teeth. The upper ridge is called the Maxillary Alveolar Ridge, and the lower ridge is called the Mandibular Alveolar ridge. Ridge resorption (loss or shrinkage of the ridge) can occur following a tooth-loss, trauma, injury, birth defects or severe periodontal disease. Bone grafting techniques are used to fill in the lost portion of the bone ridge and make the jawbone a uniform shape with adequate width to support the width of an implant.
Bone grafting is a highly successful treatment and a good base for further dental restorations.
If you have any questions about bone grafting, please make an appointment for consultation with Dr. Ian Woo. Dr. Woo is a dual-degreed MD, OMS graduate of USC, with many years of experience and a track record of many tens of thousands of successful surgical procedures.