Bone Grafting
Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients can be candidates for placement of dental implants with bone replacement procedures.
We now have the ability to grow bone where needed. This allows us to place implants of proper length and width to restore proper function and aesthetics.
Here is a list of bone grafting procedures:
- Sinus Augmentation (Sinus Lift):
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This procedure involves elevating the sinus membrane and placing the bone graft onto the sinus floor, allowing implants to be placed in the back part of the upper jaw.
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- Ridge-augmentation
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- In severe cases where the ridge (bone) of the lower or upper jaw has been reabsorbed, a bone graft is inserted to increase the ridge height and/or width.
Grafting of an Extraction Site
- After the removal of a tooth, adequate quantity or quality of bone may not remain for immediate placement of an implant. At this time, a graft may be placed into the extraction site immediately following the extraction. This will be allowed to heal and an implant can be placed at a later date to replace the extracted tooth.