Bone grafting is a dental procedure used to regenerate the jawbones by transferring bone matter from one body area to another. Bone grafting is needed in some instances when the jaw bone has been lost due to tooth extraction or trauma. When the jawbones are lost, it directly affects the health of your teeth and a broad smile. Without strong, healthy bones, they cannot support our teeth. Bone grafting is also used in conjunction with dental implants to aid in securing artificial teeth. The transferred bone will eventually grow over the dental implants and secure them into place. A Monterey bone grafting specialist can determine if you need bine grafting to aid other treatments.
What Does it Involve?
Bone grafting involves removing a piece of bone from another part of the body, usually from the hip bone. The removed bone is processed to remove any proteins and other materials it may contain. This bone marrow or growth cells are then put into a carrier substance and placed into the area that needs more bone matter. Sometimes a titanium mesh is used to support the growth of the bone. This procedure can be done in a dental office and usually needs local anaesthesia to complete.
What are the Different Types of Grafts?
Bone grafting involves using various types of grafts to provide the most suitable outcome. Autografts This is when your own body provides the graft and has no risk of rejection. This process involves removing bone from one area, such as the hip, and then inserting it back into the jaw where it is needed. This type of graft is typically used in dental patients who have a medical condition that would not allow them to receive bone from another donor or source.
Allografts involve using a cadaver bone and must undergo screening to ensure there is no risk of disease transferral. Cadaver bone is not your own and must be carefully screened before processing. After the cadaver bone has been removed from a donor, it is cleaned and sterilized. It is then wrapped in a protective barrier that prevents the transfer of any diseases.
Autologous grafts use donated bone from another person, but the person receiving the graft is at no risk for disease transmission. This type of procedure can be used when there is no source to provide you with bone that has been processed from a cadaver. A bone grafting specialist can determine which type of bone graft would work best for your situation and what procedures you need before treatment.
What Are the Risks?
Serious risks and side effects are rare for this procedure, but there may be some discomfort. Some patients have reported having a mild headache after the process. Other problems which can occur include infection, loosening of teeth, damage to nerves or blood vessels, and delayed healing.
In summary, bone grafting is a procedure that can help regenerate lost bone matter. Bone grafting can be used with dental implants to secure them into place. The various types of bone grafts include autografts, allografts, and autologous grafts. Although serious side effects are rare, it is possible for there to be some mild discomfort. If you have any more questions about bone grafting, please see your dentist for a consultation.
