Bone Grafting
Major & Minor Bone Grafting
Bone Grafting Overview
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Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or dissolves away. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants.
Today, we often have the ability to grow bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore function and an esthetic appearance.
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. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the
gum and protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration. This is
called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration. Sinus bone grafts (see below) are also performed to replace bone in the upper back jaw.
Sinus Augmentation Procedure
The maxillary sinuses are behind your cheeks and above the upper teeth. Sinuses are like empty chambers. Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend up into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are removed, there is often just a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth. Dental implants need bone to hold them in place. When the sinus wall is very thin, it is impossible to place dental implants in this bone.
There is a solution called a sinus lift or sinus augmentaton. The lining in the bottom of the sinus is lifted upward and bone is inserted into the floor of the sinus. Keep in mind that the floor of the sinus is the roof of the upper jaw. After several months of healing, the bone becomes part of the patients jaw and dental implants can be inserted and stabilized in this new sinus bone.
If enough bone between the upper jaw ridge and the bottom of the sinus is available to stabilize the implant well, sinus augmentations and implant placement can sometimes be performed as a single procedure. If not enough bone is available, the sinus augmentation will have to be performed first, then the graft will have to mature for about six months. Once the graft has matured, the implants can be placed.