Bone Grafting
There are occasions where we may need to augment the Bone and Soft tissue in the sites where we plan to place the dental implant securely.
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Dental implants rely on a process called Osseointegration. This concept describes the union between the bone and the implant to provide stability for the implant.
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The gums around the implant needs to be of a certain quality and thickness.
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Where Bone augmentation is required, this can derived from a number of sources:
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Animal based derivatives
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Synthetic derivatives
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Other human donors
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From your own jaw (either chin or Ramus of the lower jaw)
​Different sources of graft materials are used in different indications and this will be covered at your consultation, should you require bone grafting.
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We use products which have been extensively studied and researched before we consider using them in any patients.
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There are several procedures available to facilitate the above treatments. Some of these include:
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Pre implant bone grafting
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Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR)
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Implant soft tissue grafting
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Sinus lifts
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Ridge preservation
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Block grafts
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Pre Implant Bone Graft
This can be necessary to build the ridge of the implant site to create the volume of bone required to place an implant
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An example of this is shown below.
Case
Before
After
Pre Implant bone grafting showing a cone beam CT scan before and after bone grafting to increase the amount of bone available before placing the implant
Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR)
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Guided Bone Regeneration is used to recreate bone and supporting tissues during implant treatment
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The goal of this surgery is to coax the body into rebuilding the bone around the implant.
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Barriers may be used to cover the grafting material in the early stages of healing. They also prevent the gums from growing into the bony defect. Barriers are made from human skin, cow / pig skin or synthetic materials.
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The choice of materials can be discussed with the implant surgeon / periodontist (gum specialist) and if you have specific preferences / restrictions on types of materials used, there are always alternatives.
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An example of this is shown below
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A cone beam CT scan showing a lack of bone and presence of nerve in proximity to where implants were planned. GBR was carried out during implant placement and a scan was repeated 6 months later to check the amount of bone regenerated following the implant surgery.
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After
Implant soft tissue grafting
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Gum quality and Gum volume around dental implants is very important for the health of the implants
Therefore some cases may require additional soft tissue grafting procedures to ensure we provide a healthy environment around the implants
The gum grafts can either be derived from your palate or from other animal/synthetic sources and these can be discussed with you at your consultation
The cases below show some examples of healthy soft tissue around dental implants
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After
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Sinus lifts
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In the upper jaw, near the premolars and molar teeth, the sinuses may enlarge and reduce the amount of bone available to place implants.
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Sinus augmentation procedures are done either
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as a stand alone procedure when there is less than 4mm bone height, to increase the bone available. The site needs to heal for a period of 9 months before an implant can be placed. OR,
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If there is >4mm bone available, sinus augmentation and implant placement can be done at the same time.
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Case below is an example where the sinus has been augmented to increase the bone available prior to implant placement
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Case showing sinus augmentation on an X-ray immediately after the procedure was done (left x-ray) compared to the situation before the procedure was done (right x-ray)
Case
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After
Ridge preservation
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An alveolar ridge augmentation after tooth extraction, or "ridge augmentation," involves placing Bone Graft material directly into the empty socket where a tooth's roots used to be, to help create the natural shape of the gums and jaw that may have been lost following tooth extraction.
Patients usually need a ridge augmentation procedure after losing one or more teeth, to prepare for future dental restorations or placement of dental implants.
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Block grafts
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These procedures involving either using your own bone (from the chin or angle of the lower jaw) or from other human donors (in a packet, sterilised and screened) to increase the volume of bone available prior to placement of dental implants
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This is rarely used unless there is a very large bony defect which needs to be built up for placement of dental implants
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Visit our Smile Gallery to view other cases of dental implants
What our Patients Say
"I would recommend this practice to friends or family. I was treated with dignity and respect by staff at the practice at all times. I was treated very well and the procedure to be carried was fully explained to me as was the cost. I would recommend this practice to everyone. Wonderful service and treatment."
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- John Langton -