Implants require adequate bone to be anchored securely. You may have reduced bone due to early tooth loss, infection, or trauma.
The bone graft can restore the natural density of the bone, increase its height, or improve its width in preparation for a dental implant procedure.
Block Autogenous bone graft (own bone)
Bone is usually harvested from inside another part of your mouth. Common donor sites are the lower wisdom tooth region and the chin, where small blocks of bone can be collected. Scrapings of bone close to the implant site can also be used along with artificial bone to improve bone regeneration. If large quantities of bone are needed, bone grafts from other areas of your body, such as the hip or skull, can be carried out in a hospital setting. There will be discomfort from the donor site and the surgical site. However, many people feel this is worth the additional pain as your bone is usually considered the ‘gold standard’.
Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR)
Artificial bone derived from animal or mineral sources can encourage new bone growth. These materials have been specially prepared to make them safe for humans. The materials provide a scaffold for new bone to grow into and will be ready to receive dental implants several months later. The process can take anything from 3 to 12 months to occur.
One advantage of this method is that taking bone from another site in the mouth is unnecessary, making surgery more comfortable and quicker.
Sinus Lift:
What is Sinus Lift?
A sinus lift is done to augment the amount and quality of bone in the sinus area to support the successful placement of dental implants. The sinus area naturally has only a thin layer of bone, so it needs to be enhanced to keep the implants stabilised. Sinus augmentation can also be done if the area has considerably thinned due to tooth loss.
The procedure increases the height of bone between the gum and sinus to allow sufficient bone for an implant to be placed. This can be done using artificial bone (guided bone regeneration) or your bone (autogenous bone graft).
Implants require adequate bone to be anchored securely. You may have reduced bone due to early tooth loss, infection, or trauma.
The bone graft can restore the natural density of the bone, increase its height, or improve its width in preparation for a dental implant procedure.
Block Bone Graft/ Sinus Lift Procedure
Depending on the quantity of bone needed, your general health, and your anxiety level, bone grafting can be carried out under either local anaesthetic, with or without sedation, or a general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will help you decide which is best for you. The area of surgery will be completely numb during the treatment. You can expect to feel pulling and pressure sensations and the vibrations of the drill, but no pain.
A cut in the gum will be necessary to uncover the proposed implant site. If your bone is being used, the gum will also be cut over the donor site. If the artificial bone is used (with or without fragments of your bone), this will often be held in place with a dissolvable membrane material. Block bone grafting requires drilling and usually needs a small titanium screw to have the bone properly whilst healing occurs. This can be removed at implant placement but may remain in place permanently. Dissolvable stitches in the gum are often needed to bring the gum back together. However, your surgeon may choose chose to remove them before they dissolve.
If a sinus lift is planned, a cut in the upper gum at the back of your mouth will be made. A small amount of drilling is carried out. The sinus lining is lifted. Bone and artificial bone are placed into the defect between the sinus lining and the implant site before closing the gum with stitches. (BAOS)
If you have any queries, feel free to contact us.
If you are interested in dental implant treatment, contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation. Our team will work with you to determine if this treatment is right for you and create a customised treatment plan to meet your needs.
It’s important to note that each case and treatment approach to Bone Graft/ Sinus Liftis unique. If you have any queries, you can book your consultation with our specialist oral surgeon.
