The dental implant procedure is an extremely complex procedure that can include many surgeries depending on the patient's individual needs. When placing implants, it is important to ensure that the level of bone is sufficient to achieve a successful procedure. Where the level of bone is not sufficient for dental Implants, dentists near you often use bone grafting to rebuild bone around the jaw area. This article will give you further information about what to expect from a bone grafting procedure.
What are the different types of bone grafts available?
There are four main grafting procedures: Autografting, Xenografting, Allografting, and Alloplastic grafting.
Autografts
Autografting describes taking bone from another part of the body (usually the hip bone) and inserting it into the mouth. This type of grafting has a high success rate as the graft material is already compatible with the implant site.
Allografts
This form of grafting uses donor bone from other humans. It is relatively successful as the human bone has good compatibility with the patient's bone. This method will be employed where no suitable donor site can be found in the patient's body.
Xenografts
During this procedure, bone tissue is taken from an animal instead of a human body. The success rate is not as high for this procedure since the bone from an animal is less compatible than that from the patient's body. In this case, the animal material remains in the implant site as 'filler' material, and later natural bone grows to fill this space.
Alloplastic Grafting
This procedure utilizes a completely synthetic graft material, normally calcium phosphate. This material can imitate the properties of natural bone. In rare cases, actual synthetic, non-compatible materials will be used, although these materials are simply used as a platform for natural bone to grow on.
What are the usual steps for the bone grafting procedure?
Once your dentist has determined that the area surrounding your implant site has insufficient bone tissue, the following procedure is usually employed:-
- Gum is cut at the site of the implant.
- A skin flap is created.
- Bone for the graft is inserted into the site and covered with a protective barrier material or membrane.
- Gum is restitched.
What is the healing time for the bone grafting procedure?
Healing time is usually four months. During this time, your dentists will check on the success of the graft by performing x-rays to check the growth of the new bone. Once the dentist in Culver City, CA, is satisfied with the procedure and the site is healed, your dentist will proceed to fit your dental implants.
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