6. Having a Bone Graft for a Dental Implant

If you are missing one or more teeth and wish to replace them, then one of the most popular and successful way to do so is to have a dental implant. Implants require a certain amount of bone mass in order to ‘take,’ but if you don't have sufficient bone for a successful implant then you can choose to have a bone graft. This might sound a little scary, but the operation is very straightforward and the technique has been successfully used for years.

What Does a Bone Graft Involve?

It is a relatively quick surgical procedure but we will need to cut into the gum, creating a flap and exposing the site to be grafted. Once the area is exposed we can place the bone graft onto the site before replacing and suturing the flap of gum tissue back into position. After this it is a question of waiting for the site to heal and the bone to fully integrate. You'll probably need to take antibiotics immediately after surgery and we will give you plenty of advice on how to care for the site. It usually takes about four months for the area to heal completely.

What Type of Bone Is Used for the Graft?

Bone grafts are generally performed using one of four materials and these four are:

1.     A Xenograft uses harvested animal bone.

2.     An Autograft uses bone from the patient.

3.     An Alloplastic graft uses synthetic materials.

4.     An Allograft uses bone from a human donor.

If you have a xenograft then the animal bone is usually harvested from cows. The procedure is very safe as the bone is sterilized before being placed in the crafting site. It is very effective, creating a kind of filler or template around which your natural bone can form, and only requires one procedure.

If you have an autograft then the bone is generally harvested from either your hip or your mouth. The disadvantage of this type of surgery is that it will require at least two operations and you could be sore for a while afterwards. However it does guarantee that the chances of your body rejecting the graft are virtually zero.

Synthetic alloplastic grafts are sometimes made from calcium phosphate which is gradually absorbed by the body as the new bone forms, or they are made of a material that acts as a framework to support new bone growth.

Allografts tend to be far less widely used, as the bone is harvested from donors after their death, and although it is sterilized and tested, there is still a small risk of disease.

Once the graft has had a chance to heal we’ll give you another x-ray to check its success before beginning to plan your implant. It's not a quick process but it is worthwhile, as if cared for properly a dental implant can last a very long time, and is the next best thing to growing your own tooth.