If you’ve heard about dental bone grafts in passing, but were apprehensive about learning more because – frankly – they sounded too disturbing and painful, let us put you at ease! Like the widely dreaded root canal procedure, a dental bone graft is a routine procedure that seems more ominous than the reality. We’ll look at the reasons your dentist may recommend a bone graft, and all that the procedure involves.
But first, what exactly is a dental bone graft? It’s a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone in your jaw with bone grafting material to stimulate new bone growth and regeneration. As the natural bone grows, it absorbs the graft material, resulting in a fully integrated region of new bone.
The Main Reasons Your Dentist May Recommend a Bone Graft
Typically, a bone graft is performed to create a foundation for a dental restoration, such as an implant. As Golden State Dentistry points out, “You must have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. If your bone is too thin or soft, you may require a bone graft.”
A dental implant is a permanent tooth replacement solution consisting of a screw-like titanium post implanted into the upper or lower jawbone. After bone starts to grow around the post to secure it in place (a process called osseointegration), the top of the post is fitted with an abutment, followed by a permanent crown after the gum tissue around the abutment has healed. The success of an implant greatly depends on the bone density of the jaw and the health of the gum tissue. It is estimated that half of implant placement procedures require bone grafts. Our blog post — “What You Need to Know About Dental Bone Grafts” — covers this topic in detail.
Other reasons for a bone graft include the following, courtesy of Healthline:
Tooth loss or gum disease — Even if you’re not receiving an implant, dental bone grafting may be necessary to support a section of the jaw that has lost bone because of tooth loss or gum disease.
Bone loss can start to affect nearby teeth and gum tissue. Stabilizing the jaw with a bone graft can help prevent further bone loss and the long-term health complications that come with it.
If gum disease isn’t managed effectively, it can lead to further tooth loss and even heart disease.
Bone loss — Other candidates for dental bone grafts include those whose appearance has been affected by bone loss. Losing bone mass in the jaw can cause the face to look shorter than it used to. If the lower jawbone loses bone mass, it can appear to protrude forward. Without healthy bone structure underneath them, the lips and muscles around them can change in appearance. The skin in the jaw area can appear more wrinkled. Bone loss in the jaw is more common among older adults, just as the odds of developing the bone-thinning condition osteoporosis increase as you get older.
But a person of any age who has suffered an injury to the jaw or experienced problems related to poor dental hygiene or other health problems, such as major infections, may need a dental bone graft, as well.
The Five Types of Bone Grafting Material
Several types of bone grafting materials are available. The following are the five most common, courtesy of Colgate:
- Autografts use bone tissue obtained from the patient’s own body. The practitioner typically takes this tissue from the patient’s chin, shin, or hip.
- Allografts come from a human donor, usually cadaver bone that has undergone treatments to make it neutral to immune reactions and free of host diseases.
- Xenografts use the inorganic portions of animal bones, and cows are a common source.
- Alloplasts are created from hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring mineral in bone.
- Ceramic-based grafts are made from ceramics alone or in combination with another material such as calcium or bioactive glass.
According to the Journal of Pharmacy and BioAllied Sciences, dentists and oral surgeons consider autographs the gold standard for bone grafting material, but consult with your dental professional to determine the best option for your procedure.
What You Can Expect During Dental Bone Graft Surgery
Most of the dread of a dental procedure you’ve never had before involves not knowing what to expect. Your bone grafting procedure will depend on the purpose of treatment, but the following are the basic steps:
Anesthesia — The type of anesthesia you’ll receive will be discussed during a consultation with your dentist or oral surgeon. This will typically be a local anesthetic to numb the surgical site. You may also need IV sedation in the case of an autograft, or if you experience dental anxiety.
Extraction and/or bone sourcing — If you are using an autograph, the dentist or oral surgeon will source the bone from the chosen location. If you need a tooth removed, the surgeon will perform the tooth extraction at this time. Combining tooth extraction with bone grafting encourages faster healing.
Graft insertion — Next, the area will be thoroughly cleaned. If you do not have an extraction, the dentist or oral surgeon will make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the bone. Then, he or she will attach the bone graft material to the exposed bone.
Stitching — Once the graft material is in place, the area is sutured closed. The dentist or oral surgeon may use pins, plates, wires, cables, or even a titanium screw to hold the tissue together. If you source the bone from your body, the surgeon will also stitch that area together.
Recovery — In most cases, you can return home the same day as your procedure, but as previously mentioned, you will need a driver if you received sedation or general anesthesia. It is recommended that someone stay with you for the following 24 hours to watch for signs of complications and to help you avoid risky situations (such as operating a stove) as the sedation gradually wears off. Also do not make important decisions, major purchases, or sign legal papers that day.
You will need four to six months — perhaps longer — to completely heal and be ready for your dental implant if that is the reason for the bone graft. Your dentist or oral surgeon will provide a list of detailed instructions to care for the area. Follow these closely to prevent failure or complications.
The Take-Home Message
A bone graft is a proven procedure for restoring and reinforcing the density of your jawbone in preparation for a dental implant, as well as other types of treatment. An experienced, skilled, conscientious dentist or oral surgeon can provide a comfortable experience during and after the procedure.
At NK Family Dental, it is our mission to provide the highest quality and most compassionate oral care to our Chicago patients, including both dental and periodontal services. Our practice is trusted for advanced oral surgery procedures and comfortable root canal treatment.
Our team of experienced, dedicated dental professionals will help address your oral health concerns, and determine the best solution for you based on your individual situation. We strive to identify treatment options that fit your needs.
Our dental specialists include our general dentist, Dr. Nilofer Khan, our endodontist, Dr. Sabek, and our periodontist, Dr. Amir Danesh. Dr. Danesh is a board-certified periodontist and Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology. He has contributed to the publication of two books, as well as published over 20 papers in prestigious dental research journals.
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