Teeth keep the jaw healthy by stimulating the jaw bone through the action of chewing. However, if one or more teeth are missing for a prolonged time, this stimulation is lost. Over time, this can result in bone loss or deterioration. One of the reasons dental implants are such a popular option for restoring teeth is because they help to preserve the health of the jaw bone while also restoring the look and feel of your natural tooth. Dental implants work by stimulating the jaw bone, just like natural teeth. For this process to be successful, there must be enough bone in the jaw in the first place to be able to support the dental implant.
In cases where there is an insufficient amount of bone to place a dental implant, modern implant dentistry has developed life-changing bone grafting procedures that allow more patients the opportunity to be recipients of dental implant treatment. Our surgeons, Dr. Lehman and Dr. Menis, have years of training and experience, making them experts in performing successful bone graft procedures.
Different Types of Bone Graft Surgery Procedures
During your consultation, we will perform a thorough evaluation of your condition and will likely take 3D CBCT scans of your mouth and face. We will also educate you about your anesthesia or sedation options to consider during your treatment to ensure maximum comfort. We perform several bone grafting procedures to meet our patients' needs:
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Ridge Augmentation. When the alveolar ridge, the bone that surrounds your teeth, has atrophied due to trauma, tooth loss, or other factors, dental implants may not have a stable foundation for initial placement. In such cases, we may recommend a ridge augmentation procedure before placing your dental implants, where bone graft material is inserted into the implant area to stimulate bone growth.
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Sinus Lift. The sinus is a natural hollow space in the middle of the face that borders the upper arch of teeth. If the bone that separates the sinus from the oral cavity is too thin to support a dental implant, we may recommend a sinus lift procedure. For this procedure, a bone graft is placed in the jaw below the sinus membrane to augment the area.
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Socket Graft. Your tooth socket may be filled with bone grafting material immediately after extraction to prepare the site for an eventual dental implant. The socket is then covered with gum tissue or an artificial membrane while your body works to naturally repair the socket with the help of the bone grafting material.
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Simultaneous Bone Grafting. With your dental implant, all of the bone graft procedures may be completed at the same time your implant is placed. This is dependent on the amount of bone available. There may be enough of your native bone present to place and stabilize the implant. Then, additional bone may be added to achieve ideal bone contours and ultimately a beautiful long-term result.
Types of Bone Grafts
With bone grafting, we have the opportunity to not only replace bone where it is missing but also promote new bone growth in those locations. There are many types of safe and proven bone graft materials that can be used in bone grafting procedures.
Autogenous Bone Grafts
Autogenous bone grafts are also known as autografts, and they are made from your own bone. These grafts are typically harvested from your jaw in an area close to where your dental implants will be located. This type of graft is advantageous because it is your own living bone, so it provides faster healing and better quality grafts.
Allogenic Bone (Allograft)
Allogenic bone is bone harvested from a human cadaver. This bone does not produce new bone on its own but serves as a framework, or scaffold, over which your own new, healthy bone can grow to fill in the area where more bone is needed.
Xenogenic Bone
Xenogenic bone is sterilized bone obtained from another species, often a bovine or cow. There is no immune rejection and contamination from this bone because of how it is treated, and, like an allograft, xenogenic grafts serve as a framework for your own new, healthy bone to grow and fill the area where more bone is needed.
Bone Graft Substitutes
We also have the option of using substitutes for real bone in bone grafting procedures at our practice. These synthetic materials have the advantage of not requiring a second procedure to harvest bone, reducing risk and discomfort. Many safe and proven synthetic materials are available, including:
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Demineralized Bone Matrix (DBM)/Demineralized Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft (DFDBA). This is processed allogenic bone. It contains collagen, proteins, and growth factors extracted from the allogenic bone and comes in the form of powder, putty, chips, or a gel that we can inject through a syringe.
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Graft Composites. Graft composites are a mix of bone graft materials and growth factors combined to achieve the benefits of each of the substances for optimal bone growth
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Bone Morphogenetic Proteins. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are proteins that the human body naturally produces. These proteins promote and regulate bone formation and healing.
Each type of bone grafting material and procedure has its own risks and benefits, and Dr. Lehman or Dr. Menis will determine what suits your particular needs. The entire team at Lehman & Menis Dental Implant and Oral Surgery Specialists are dedicated to providing outstanding oral surgery care at our Crystal Lake, IL, practice. Whether you're a Chicagoan seeking superior oral surgery care or need any type of oral surgery in McHenry County, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule an appointment.