Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for placement of dental implants.
We now have the ability to restore bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and esthetic appearance. The bone graft procedures are referred to as:
This procedure involves elevating the sinus membrane and placing the bone graft onto the sinus floor, allowing implants to be placed in the back part of the upper jaw.
Guided Tissue Bone Regeneration "regenerates" the previously lost gum and bone tissue. Most techniques utilize membranes, which are inserted over the bone defects. These membranes are bio-absorbable which do not require removal. Other regenerative procedures involve the use of bioactive bone graft material and engineered proteins.
Careful management of the tooth socket after an extraction prevents unsightly bone loss and provides a better cosmetic outcome for tooth replacement. To increase the possibility of future implant placement, a ridge preservation procedure may be recommended. Without bone graft and collagen barrier placement into the socket to preserve the bone, studies show that 30-40% of the jaw bone is immediately lost from disuse atrophy. That is, your body perceives that once the root is removed- the bone is no longer needed and your body resorbes it.