Bone Grafting/Bone Augmentation/Ridge Augmentation

Bone grafting is the replacement of supporting bone around the teeth which has been lost. It is also known as bone augmentation or ridge augmentation.

Bone grafting is performed to reverse the bone loss or destruction resulting from periodontal disease, tooth loss, tooth extraction, trauma, or removable dentures that do not fit properly. It can also be utilized to augment bone to allow the placement of dental implants, to increase the fit and comfort of removable prostheses, and to enhance the appearance.

When you have lost a tooth, have worn ill-fitting dentures, or if you suffer from advanced periodontal disease, the bone in your jaw that supports your teeth may be damaged or resorbed, a term meaning that it has broken down and lost strength and density. The results of bone loss are discomfort, difficulty chewing and speaking, loss of attractive appearance, the inability to accept placement of dental bridges or implants, and, in the case of periodontal disease, continuing bone and tooth loss.

To repair, increase and maintain the supportive bone in the jaw and allow a return to proper function, beauty and good oral health, our doctors are able to perform Bone Grafting (which is also known as Bone Augmentation or Ridge Augmentation).

The material used for bone grafts consists of autogenous bone — bone taken from another part of your body to be used for grafting in your jaw — along with natural, artificial or synthetic substitutes. The sources for these other materials are bone banks which supply donor (cadaver) bone; bone from animals and synthetic bone. All bone and bone substitutes are cleaned and processed so that they are completely safe for human use.

Autogenous bone is considered the ideal for grafting and generally promises the most predictable results. Autogenous bone is live bone containing live active cellular components which serve to enhance bone growth.

The other types of bone graft materials also offer benefits. They do not require two surgical sites (the site from which the bone is harvested as well as the site to which it is delivered).

During your bone graft procedure, the doctor will open your gum at the surgical site and after cleaning and preparing the bone in your jaw, your graft will be placed in the opening. Then regenerative membranes will be surgically placed between your gum and bone to encourage your natural bone tissue to grow and protect it from the growth of gum tissue. Over time, your natural bone will surround and merge with the material of the bone graft, filling out areas of bone loss and readying your bone for the placement of a dental bridge or implants.