Dental Bone Grafts

A dental bone graft restores bone mass to the jawbone, providing a solid foundation for dental implants or other restorative procedures. This procedure is commonly used in patients who have experienced bone loss due to tooth loss, gum disease, or facial trauma.

What are Dental Bone Grafts?

Dental bone grafts involve surgically placing new bone or bone-like material in the jaw in areas where there is insufficient natural bone. 

The purpose of this procedure is to promote new bone growth and strengthen the jawbone. This creates a solid base for dental implants or other restorative procedures, allowing them to be successful and long-lasting. 

It is essential to have sufficient bone density before installing dental implants to ensure that the implants integrate successfully with your jawbone and have suitable bone support. Without enough support, dental implants may fail, causing discomfort and potentially leading to further oral health issues.

Reasons for Bone Loss in the Jaw

There are several reasons why someone may experience bone loss in the jaw:

• Periodontal disease (gum disease): If left untreated, gum disease can cause damage to the jawbone.
• Tooth loss: When a tooth is lost or extracted, it no longer provides stimulation to the surrounding bone.
• Injury or trauma: A significant impact or accident can result in damage to the jawbone.
• Dentures: Unlike natural teeth, dentures do not provide stimulation to the jawbone, causing gradual bone loss with time.
• Misalignments: Misaligned teeth can put uneven pressure on the jawbone, leading to bone loss.
• Osteomyelitis: An infection of the jawbone can cause damage and subsequent bone loss.
• Tumors: When a tumor is removed from the bone,  it can leave a defect or hole that requires grafting to restore bone mass.
• Developmental deformities: Some individuals may be born with bone deformities that require grafting to correct.

Before an implant can be placed, the jawbone must have enough height, width, and density to support the implant. If there isn’t enough bone present, a bone graft may be necessary.

Types of Bone Grafts

There are four main types of bone grafts used in oral surgery: autografts, allografts, xenografts, and synthetic bone grafts. Let’s take a closer look at each type:

• Autografts: In this type of grafting, a piece of bone tissue is taken from another area in your body (typically the chin, hip or mandibular ramus) and transplanted to the jawbone. Autografts have a high success rate because they are your own tissue, but they do require an additional surgical site.
• Allografts: Allografts use donor bone from another human being, typically from a tissue bank. The donor bone is thoroughly screened and processed to ensure safety. This type of grafting eliminates the need for a secondary surgical site.
• Xenografts: Xenografts use animal bone (usually cow or pig) that has been treated and sterilized for safe use in humans. Like allografts, this eliminates the need for a secondary surgical site.
• Synthetic bone grafts: This type of grafting uses synthetic materials, such as demineralized bone matrix (DBM), graft composites, and bone morphogenic proteins (BMP). These materials are designed to mimic the properties of real bone and stimulate new bone growth.

Each type of graft has its own advantages and disadvantages. Your oral surgeon will discuss with you the pros and cons of each and suggest the best one for your needs.

Type of Bone Graft	Source of Bone	Advantages	Disadvantages
Autografts	Patient’s own body (hip or chin)	High success rate, no risk of immune rejection	Requires an additional surgical site
Allografts	Donor bone from another human	No need for a secondary surgical site, thoroughly screened and processed for safety	Possibility of disease transmission (very rare due to screening)
Xenografts	Animal bone (usually cow or pig)	Eliminates need for a secondary site, treated and sterilized for safety	Possible slower integration with human bone
Synthetic	Synthetic materials like DBM, graft composites, BMP	Mimics properties of real bone, stimulates new bone growth, no need for additional donor or surgical site	May not integrate as naturally as autografts

Dental Bone Grafts and Dental Implants

Dental bone grafts play an integral role in the success of dental implants. They provide a stable foundation for the implant to be placed and prevent complications such as implant failure or jawbone deterioration.

If you require a dental implant(s), your oral surgeon will assess the condition of your jawbone to determine if a bone graft is necessary. Don’t be discouraged if you need a bone graft; it is a standard procedure that greatly improves the long-term success of dental implants.

If tooth extractions are part of your treatment plan, the bone grafting procedure will be performed immediately after your tooth (teeth) are extracted. 

If you do not need extractions, the bone grafting procedure will be performed before the implant placement in a separate procedure. Once the bone grafts have integrated with your jaw bone, then the implant(s) can be placed. This integration period is generally 4-6 months

The Dental Bone Graft Procedure

Now that we have covered the types of dental bone grafts, let’s discuss what happens during a typical procedure:

1. Anesthesia and sedation: Your oral surgeon will first administer local anesthesia to numb the area where the graft will be placed. You may also receive IV (i.e. intravenous) sedation to help you relax during the procedure.
2. Incision and preparation of the graft site: A small incision is made in your gum tissue at the site where the graft is needed. The surgeon will then carefully prepare the area by removing any damaged or infected tissue and shaping it to fit the graft.
3. Placement of bone graft material: The chosen type of bone graft material is then placed into the prepared site and secured in place with a protective membrane.
4. Closing and recovery: The incision is closed with dissolvable stitches, and you will be given aftercare instructions to follow at home. You may also receive medication for pain management and to prevent infection.

Bone Graft Healing Stages

After a dental bone graft, you can expect the following healing stages:

1. First week: Swelling and discomfort may be present during this time. Follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions carefully to promote proper healing.
2. Two to three weeks: New blood vessels will start forming around the graft, supplying it with nutrients for new bone growth.
3. Three to six months: The graft will slowly transform into solid bone as it integrates with your natural jawbone.

Post-Operative Care and Recovery

Recovery time after a dental bone graft can vary depending on the size and location of the graft, as well as individual healing capabilities. Typically, it takes several months for the new bone to fully integrate into your jaw before dental implants can be placed.

During this recovery period, it’s essential to follow your oral surgeon’s instructions carefully:

• Proper oral hygiene: Keeping your mouth clean is crucial for successful healing. Your surgeon may recommend using a special mouthwash and may advise you to avoid certain foods during this time.
• Avoid pressure on the area: To avoid disrupting the healing process, avoid chewing on or near the grafted area.
• Take prescribed medication: Take any prescribed medication as directed. If you were prescribed antibiotics, finish the entire course of treatment. Antibiotics interfere with oral contraceptives, so be sure to use alternative methods during this time.
• Attend follow-up appointments: Your surgeon will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your healing and ensure the graft is integrating properly.

Choose Concord Oral Surgery For Dental Bone Grafting in Vaughan ON

We are a leading oral surgery practice in Vaughan, ON, specializing in dental bone grafting and implant placement. 

Our highly trained oral surgeon, Dr. Robert Barron, DMD, is uniquely qualified to perform dental bone graft surgery.  He has maintained a practice in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Vaughan, Ontario since 2004.

With our state-of-the-art technology and advanced techniques, we ensure a safe and comfortable procedure while achieving optimal results.

Check out our Google Reviews and see what our patients have to say about the treatment they received at our oral surgery office in Vaughan, ON.

If you require a dental bone graft or would like to learn more about the role of dental bone grafting in dental implant success, schedule a consultation with Concord Oral Surgery in Vaughan, ON. 

To book an appointment at our oral surgery office in Vaughan, call (905) 669-2616 or complete the appointment request form.

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FAQs About Dental Bone Grafts