Bone Grafting and Reconstruction

Over a period of time the jawbone associated with a missing tooth or several missing teeth either atrophies or is reabsorbed.  In other words it becomes small, thin and poor in quality that neither a prosthesis (dentures) nor implants can be used.  Jawbone atrophy is a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants.

Fortunately today, we have the ability to grow bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.

Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease or injuries. The bone is either obtained from a tissue bank or your own bone is taken from the jaw, hip or tibia (below the knee). Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum and protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.

Large bone grafting procedures are typically performed to repair large defects of the jaws. These defects may arise as a result of severe atrophy, traumatic injuries like a fracture, ablative tumor surgery, or congenital bone defects (cleft palate). Large defects are usually repaired using the patient’s own bone or in combination with bone stimulating proteins.

The use of recombinant human bone morphogenic proteins type 2 (rhBMP2) in clinical practice has changed the world of bone reconstruction:  this technique allows for the reconstruction of a bony defect  without the need for a donor site and therefore with minimal discomfort.  Furthermore, It allows us to reconstruct bone defects in a more consistent and predictable way that when using only a bone graft alone.