What is Bone Grafting?

One of our most commonly asked questions is ‘What is Bone Grafting?’ Our team of dental professionals has created this blog to help you understand all aspects of bone grafting.

What is a bone graft?

A dental bone graft is a surgical procedure used to replace or replenish bone loss using bone-forming agents. These agents can be sourced from your own body, a donor, a natural substitute, or even synthetic materials. In dentistry, bone graft surgery is often used in preparation for dental implant procedures in patients with significant bone loss or jawbone deficiency.

Bone grafts are used as a filler or a scaffold to rebuild contours or available bone that has been weakened or lost following tooth extraction, injuries or trauma, or where bone and gum disease have resulted in bone loss. Bone grafts can prolong the life of teeth or implants. Most of the grafting materials will promote bone growth and eventually be replaced by the body’s own natural bone.

Following a bone graft procedure, you can expect to have an improved jawbone profile that is more suitable to support a dental implant or restorative prosthesis.

Types of bone grafts

Autograft

An autograft involves using bone tissue within your body and surgically transplanting it into a bone-deficient area. Although these types of procedures are now less common, your dentist or health professional may transplant bone tissue from your:

• Ribs
• Chin
• Hips
• Pelvis
• Wrist

Allograft

An allograft is similar to an autograft, except that the bone tissue is harvested from donor individuals who have either donated their bodies to help others or had bone harvested as part of another surgery, such as hip replacement therapy.

These bone graft materials are treated to remove all cellular tissue, making them biologically safe.

Xenograft

A xenograft refers to an active agent derived from either a bovine or porcine source. These are very commonly used and tend to be good, slow-resorbing materials that hold good bone bulk. Generally used where ‘volume’ is required.

Synthetic grafts

These materials are derived from naturally occurring ceramics or bioactive glass. Synthetic grafts to date do not appear to yield the same predictable results as those achieved with allografts or xenografts, but show promise as improvements are made to their composition over time.

Do all dental implant procedures require bone grafting?

Not all dental implant procedures require bone grafting. Bone grafting is only required if you do not have enough bone or bone volume available to support an implant.

What are the risks of bone grafting

In some cases, like with any surgical procedure, you may experience side effects when undergoing a bone graft treatment. These may include:

• Swelling
• Infection
• Failure of grafting
• Fracturing bones( from the harvested site)
• wound dehiscence

All surgical procedures carry risks, and the success of your procedure depends on how well your graft was placed, how well your body responds, and how well you look after yourself.  For your treatment to be successful, your jawbone must integrate with the implanted bone.

In some cases, you may experience signs of dental bone graft failure. The symptoms of bone graft failure may include:

• Pain
• Infection in your mouth
• Swelling

What to expect after your bone grafting procedure?

Following your bone graft procedure, you should eat soft food and avoid any hot drinks for 24 hours. Additionally, rinsing your mouth excessively after treatment may increase bleeding, so it is best to avoid this practice whenever possible. You should also avoid drinking through a straw, as negative pressure may dislodge some of the grafting material.

In addition, you may also be provided with medication to help manage any pain or discomfort (such as anti-inflammatory agents) or antibiotics to prevent post-operative infection from occurring.

It is essential for healing that you take it easy. Avoid strenuous physical activity for 2–3 days after your procedure.

How long does healing take?

It may take 3-6 months or more for it to heal correctly. This also depends on how well you take care of your oral health. We recommend brushing and flossing twice daily, or after meals, to maintain good oral hygiene.

Research suggests that smoking can prevent the bone from healing and may lead to bone graft failure. If you are a smoker, it is essential that you stop or significantly limit your smoking following your surgery. You should consult with your dentist or health professional so they can provide you with an effective aftercare plan.

Bone Grafting on the Gold Coast

At Dental Implants and Aesthetics, we offer bone grafting and bone augmentation procedures at both of our Gold Coast locations, Southport and Tugun, with Dr Franck Page.

Contact our team to arrange a consultation regarding surgery. Alternatively, you can book an appointment online 24/7.

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