Bone Grafting

Bone Grafting for Improved Bone Health

Decreased jaw bone density is a common problem among adults. It can occur for a variety of reasons and can range from mild to severe. While some degree of jaw bone deterioration is inevitable as you age, it’s important to keep an eye on your bone density and receive a skilled bone graft procedure when necessary.

Bone grafts are materials (usually from cadaver bone or your own bone) that are sterilized and transplanted into an area where the bone is damaged or deficient in some way. It is not uncommon for the jaw bone to be rebuilt or repaired with one or more bone grafts.

When Bone Grafts Are Necessary

There are many reasons the jaw bone can start to deteriorate at a faster rate than normal. These include:

  • Periodontal disease

  • Lost teeth

  • Sinus abnormalities

  • Trauma

  • Birth defects

  • Dentures

  • Tooth extractions

  • Tumors

Any of these problems can lead to accelerated jaw bone loss and have a negative effect on oral health. Additionally, patients with low jaw bone density are not good candidates for certain oral procedures, including dental implants.

If you are interested in receiving one or more implants but do not have sufficient bone density to support implant posts, your oral surgeon may recommend one or more bone grafts. At Summit Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we use gentle techniques and sedation to make bone grafting procedures painless and effective.

Types of Bone Grafts

There are several types of bone grafting procedures used to build up or repair jaw bone tissue. These include:

  • Autograft

  • Xenograft

  • Allograft

  • Alloplast

An autograft involves removing a portion of bone from the ramus or the chin, shaping it into small blocks and securing it to the degraded portion of jaw bone. Because this type of graft uses bone tissue from your own body, the success rate is very high.

To perform a xenograft, an oral surgeon uses bone tissue from a different species (commonly bovine) and grafts it into the affected area. This type of bone graft material is very common in tissue banks because it’s easier to obtain in large quantities.

An allograft involves transplanting tissue from the same species (human), but not from an identical genetic composition. The substitute bone is shaped to the recipient’s bone and secured in place. A specialized membrane is put over the area to facilitate healing.

An alloplast typically includes a synthetic graft material that doesn’t originate from animals or humans. It is less commonly used than the previously mentioned bone graft types.

Schedule Your Consultation

Want to learn more about bone grafts and how they can improve your jaw bone health? To schedule a consultation at one of our bone grafting clinics with a skilled oral surgeon, call our practice or register online today.