BONE GRAFTING – RIDGE AUGMENTATION
TREATMENTS FOR ADVANCED PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Periodontal disease is a major problem that causes a range of devastating symptoms, one of the worst being bone loss in the jaw area. The loss of bone around the teeth, along with a general weakening of the bone structure in the jaw, leads to tooth loss and facial deformation. The bone grafting procedure is done by the periodontist in order to replace lost bone tissue. The goal is to strengthen the weakened structure of the jaw while also encouraging new bone growth to start naturally. Bone grafting is a very adaptive procedure that can accomplish many things when it comes to oral reconstruction and care after advanced periodontal disease. Bone grafting treatments can help provide enough support to install dental implants and can also prevent further tooth loss and even help reshape jaw structure and appearance. At Loop Perio, we offer bone grafting treatments to many of our patients who are recovering from periodontal disease, and we can do the same for you.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF BONE GRAFTS ARE AVAILABLE
There are several types of dental bone grafts that are commonly used today:
- Autogenous bone graft – For this bone grafting treatment, bone is removed from somewhere else in your mouth and is used in the defect to replace the missing or damaged bone.
- Allograft – Manmade bone that is produced in a laboratory or cadaver bone from a bone bank can be used to treat bone loss caused by advanced periodontal disease.
- Xenograft – The successful use of cow bone has been documented for years and is a safe and viable option for helping individuals who are recovering from periodontal disease.
REASONS WHY A BONE GRAFT MAY BE NEEDED
There are a number of situations that we see here at our office that can lead to bone grafting treatments needing to be done:
- Dental implants – there has to be enough solid healthy bone in the jaw to attach the implants to, and a bone graft can help provide this if the natural bone is too damaged.
- Sinus lift – this procedure is done by elevating the sinus membrane, adding in the grafting bone, and filling the sinus floor so that implants can be installed.
- Ridge augmentation –inadequate ridges can happen due to injury, genetics, or birth defects. Soft tissue ridge augmentation is often suggested when the patient has a large depression, cleft, or crease in the gum.
WHAT DOES BONE GRAFTING TREATMENT INVOLVE?
Bone grafting is a fairly simple procedure which may be performed under local anesthetic. A small incision is made in the gum tissue which is then gently separated from the bone. The bone graft material is then placed at the affected site by our trained staff of dental care experts.
The bone regrowth process can be helped along and improved by:
- Gum/bone tissue regeneration – A thin barrier can be installed during the procedure. The barrier is placed below the gum line and over the grafting material. This helps the growth of natural bone occur more easily and allows for better healing and attachment of tissues.
- Tissue stimulating proteins – This addition helps jumpstart the natural healing process and mimics the proteins and other elements that naturally occur in the body. It allows for faster healing and a more natural finished look and feel.
- Platelet-rich plasma or stem cells –Stem cells and platelets are what drives the natural healing process of our bodies. When you apply them directly to a surgical site, healing can be drastically improved, and the final results can also be boosted as well.