Understanding the Different Types of Bone Grafting Procedures

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Understanding the Different Types of Bone Grafting Procedures

What is Bone Grafting?

Different degrees of bone loss can occur from tooth loss, trauma and severe periodontal disease. Bone grafting is a minimally invasive, minor surgical procedure. It is the process of rebuilding the foundation of damaged teeth to revitalize the affected area.

Bone grafts fill and stabilize areas by acting as a “mineral reservoir.” This cultivates bone formation and healing. The two main ways bone grafting works are:

  1. A grafting material is applied to little spaces in the damaged area of a bone for support.
  2. Tissue growth is stimulated in the little spaces to repair and strengthen the bone.

How is Dental Bone Grafting Done?

Are you looking to receive a bone graft in St. Albert? Jensen Lakes Dental is a full-service dental clinic that provides a wide range of dental treatments and procedures including bone grafting near you. When a patient receives a bone graft the following can be expected:

  • The area to receive the graft is cleaned and prepared.
  • The grafting material is then obtained. From where depends on the type of graft.
  • The grafting material is then places on the area to receive the graft.
  • Upon completion of the process all that’s left is your short recovery then back to normal functionality.

Types of Bone Grafting Procedures

The type of grafting procedure is dependent on the type of substance being used as a graft.

Graft

Description

Allograft Using bone tissue from another individual’s body.
Autograft Using bone tissue from an individual’s own body.
Bone Marrow Aspirate Using stem and progenitor cells from bone marrow tissue.
Synthetic Using artificially produced materials.

Explanation of Each Type of Bone Grafting Procedure

Allograft

Allograft means that the graft substance was retrieved from an individual’s body, different from the person receiving the graft. They areretrieved from the cadavers of people who donated their bodies for the living (typically from a source called a “bone bank”).

This type of graft provides a foundation for healthy bone tissue to grow. There is something beautiful to note about bone tissue getting a second chance at life while helping someone improve their quality.

Autograft

Not what you would ask for from your favorite athlete or celebrity. In fact, you wouldn’t ask them for anything since this graft uses a sample of your own bone tissue. The tissue can be harvested from a few different nonessential bones.

One source is the iliac crest in our pelvis. Another two areas include the chin and two tiny parts at the top of our jaws called the anterior mandibular ramus (coronoid process).

Bone Marrow Aspirate

The spongy material inside bones is called bone marrow. Inside are stem and progenitor cells that help heal. A surgeon will use a needle on the iliac crest in our pelvis to retrieve a marrow sample which can be used either by itself or mixed with other material as a graft.

Synthetic

Lastly, synthetic bone grafts are artificially produced materials. Majority of synthetic grafts are ceramic-based – (ex: calcium sulfate is a favorite known as plaster of Paris, bioglass, biologically active silicate-based glass)

A substance often used in synthetic grafts is called hydroxyapatite. It is a naturally occurring mineral and is much of what bone is made of. It is derived from biological sources such as animal bones, eggs, shells and coral.

FAQ

Q) How long does it take for the bone graft to integrate with the existing bone?

It begins interacting immediately as a part of the healing process, but it takes a few months after the completion of the graft for the body to naturally replace the graft with its own bone.

Q) Will I need to undergo general anesthesia for a bone grafting procedure?

It is expected at any dentist near you that you’d receive anesthesia for a bone grafting procedure.

 Schedule a Consultation for Bone Grafting at Our St. Albert Dental Clinic!

Bone grafting is often used in dentistry to restore damaged or missing bone areas. The procedure is not overly invasive, and the recovery period is short. A grafting material is placed in the edentulous area.

The material can derive from the patient’s own body, another body or a mix of natural and synthetic sources. The grafting material heals the area by facilitating healthy regeneration. If you’re looking for a new dentist in St. Albert, who provides bone grafting services, contact our dental clinic near you today to schedule an appointment!
Phone – (780) 347-8080
Email – info@jensenlakesdental.com