Why can a bone graft be recommended by your surgeon before placing dental implants?
The dental implant is the most effective and long-lasting solution to replace a missing tooth. However, sometimes it is necessary to perform different procedures in order to properly prepare your jaw for a dental implant. The bone must be dense enough to allow the insertion of the implants into the jawbone. When your oral and maxillofacial surgeon identifies insufficient bone structure, he will recommend that you have a bone graft before your dental implants are placed.
Insufficient bone structure
Alveolar bone is the support of a tooth. If the latter is fractured, it can cause damage to the alveolar bone. This inconvenience could also occur following tooth extraction. The jawbone, on the other hand, may be flexible or not dense enough to support an implant. A bone graft will therefore be suggested to you by your dentist in order to solidify your bone structure while preparing your jaw for a dental implant.
Nerve repositioning — A bone graft procedure may be required if displacement of the inferior alveolar nerve is required for implant placement. The inferior alveolar nerve acts at the level of perception and sensations in the lower chin and lip.
Dental bone graft : different types here
There are several types of bone grafts. The following transplants are the most common :
To know how much your dental implant will cost and to have an estimate, you must take into account all the work defined in the treatment plan:
– The overall condition of your mouth and in particular the teeth near the area to be treated. If work needs to be done, it should be added to the final bill. The most popular treatments are cavities, bone graft or sinus lift.
– The dentist will then take care of the surgical part, that is, the placement of the implant which will act as an artificial root.
– You will then have to take into account the prosthetic part that the dentist is going to install, meaning the crown on the implant.
The process of bone regeneration can be improved by :
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Soft / bone tissue regeneration — A thin barrier (membrane) is placed under the gum line on the graft. This barrier creates enough space for the development of healthy tissue, and it separates the rapidly growing gum tissue from the slower growing fibers. This means that the bone cells can migrate to the protected area and grow naturally.
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Proteins that stimulate tissue growth — The protein matrix in enamel grows with the teeth. Emdogain is a product that contains a protein matrix which is usually applied to the graft site. This product mediates the formation of the acellular cementum of the tooth which provides a foundation for periodontal attachment. These tissue proteins stimulate the creation of lost support in areas affected by a periodontal defect.
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Growth factors rich in blood platelets — Fluid rich in blood platelets can be used to create a blood clot at the injured site. It was recently discovered that these growth factors also stimulate bone growth, which allows new bone to be denser, in a shorter time.
The gum is sutured and a follow-up appointment is scheduled within 10 days of the procedure to assess healing. The bone grafting procedure is a very successful treatment and a good starting point for other periodontal restorations.
