Over time, missing teeth can lead to jaw bone atrophy or resorption, compromising the quality and quantity of bone needed for dental implant placement. This condition often results in the shifting of remaining teeth and noticeable changes in facial structure. Consequently, many patients facing these issues may not immediately qualify for dental implants without undergoing preparatory dental treatments.
Advancements in dental technology now allow for the growth of bone in necessary areas. This development not only facilitates the placement of dental implants that are adequately long and wide but also helps in restoring both functionality and aesthetic appearance of the teeth and mouth.
Types of Bone Grafting Material
- Autogenous Bone Grafts: Autogenous bone grafts, also known as autografts, involve using the patient’s own bone harvested from another area of their body. Common donor sites include the chin, jaw, lower leg bone, hip, or skull. Autografts are advantageous because the graft material contains living cellular elements that enhance bone growth, eliminating the risk of rejection since it comes from the patient’s own body. However, one drawback is that an additional surgical procedure is required to harvest the bone from the donor site, which may not be recommended depending on the patient’s condition.
- Allogenic Bone Grafts (Allografts): Allogenic bone, or allograft, is bone harvested from a human donor, then processed using a freeze-dry method. Unlike autogenous bone, allogenic bone cannot produce new bone on it’s own. It serves as a framework or scaffold over which bone from the surrounding bony walls can grow to fill the defect or void. Allogenic bone may contain bone morphogenic protein to enhance the growth of new bone.
- Xenogenic Bone Grafts (Xenografts): Xenografts are made from deproteinized, non-living bone harvested from another species, typically bovine (cow) bone. Like allografts, xenografts do not contain viable cellular elements, but provide a structural framework that allows the patient’s own bone to grow and regenerate within the graft material.
Both allografts and xenografts offer the advantage of not requiring a secondary procedure to harvest the patient’s bone, as is needed for autografts. However, because these options lack the bone-forming properties of autografts, bone regeneration may take longer and have a less predictable outcome. Additionally, the procedure may involve the use of special membranes that dissolve under the gums to protect the new bone graft and promote further bone regeneration. This technique is known as guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.
Bone Graft Substitutes
As a substitute to using real bone, many synthetic materials are available as a safe and proven alternative, including:
Demineralized Bone Matrix (DBM)/Demineralized Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft (DFDBA)
This product is processed allograft bone, containing collagen, proteins, and growth factors that are extracted from the allograft bone. It is available in the form of powder, putty, chips, or as a gel that can be injected through a syringe.
Graft Composites
Graft composites consist of other bone graft materials and growth factors to achieve the benefits of a variety of substances. Some combinations may include: collagen/ceramic composite, which closely resembles the composition of natural bone, DBM combined with bone marrow cells, which aid in the growth of new bone, or a collagen/ceramic/autograft composite.
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are proteins naturally produced in the body that promote and regulate bone formation and healing.
Each bone grafting option has its own benefits. Dr. Carlton will determine which type of bone graft material is right for you.