A bone graft is a surgical procedure where a jawbone is built up with a bone grafting material. At Advanced Dental Solutions Inc, the graft can come from the patient’s own body, such as hip or rib bone, or a donor source. It may also be synthetic. The area is typically covered with a membrane while new bone grows in and around the implant's surface. After healing, the membrane is removed, and the new implant can be put in. Sometimes an implant can be placed simultaneously with the bone graft. In this case, the implant is placed into the space where the bone graft was. Once the new bone has grown around the new dental implant, the implant will be completely restored.

Bone grafts help build up the bone, so dental implants can be placed. It is important to have enough bone to hold and support the implant. Without enough bone mass, the implant can leave the gum line and not function well.

Types of Bone Grafts

• Autogenous grafts transplant bone from elsewhere in the body, typically the chin or jaw. The graft can be taken from the hip or shin more severely.
• Allograft uses donor tissue from another human source, such as cadaver tissue. These are often processed and prepared at an outside facility before placement within the mouth.
• Xenografts are less common than allografts and use materials from animals or synthetic sources. These are less commonly used due to the risk of disease transmission posed by non-human materials.
• Synthetic grafts are crafted in a lab using biocompatible materials and are usually the best option when other types of materials are unavailable or unsuitable for the patient’s situation.

Benefits of Bone Grafts 

Dental Implant Success 

Dental implants are a common treatment option for replacing missing teeth. However, for successful implant placement, it is crucial to have sufficient bone volume and density in the jawbone. Bone grafts can augment the deficient bone, providing a solid foundation for dental implants and increasing the chances of successful implant integration and long-term stability.

Preservation of Jawbone 

When a tooth is lost or extracted, the jawbone in that area can undergo resorption, which diminishes volume and density over time. Bone grafts can be used to preserve the jawbone by filling the extraction socket or the site of the missing tooth. This prevents excessive bone loss, maintains the structure of the jaw, and helps retain the natural facial contours.

Improved Esthetics and Functionality 

Bone grafts can restore missing bone in the jaw, improving the esthetics of the smile and supporting the placement of natural-looking, functional dental restorations. Grafting procedures enhance the ability to achieve optimal implant positioning and proper alignment with the adjacent teeth, resulting in improved oral function and a more natural-looking smile.

Using bone grafts in implant dentistry helps ensure dental implants' long-term success and stability. Visit Advanced Dental Solutions Inc at 615 E. 82nd Ave Suite 100, Anchorage, AK 99518, or call (907) 562-1686 to determine the appropriate use of bone grafts in dental implant procedures and other dental treatments.