Bone loss in the jawbone is common when one or more teeth have been lost due to injury, decay, or trauma. Without the tooth in place to stimulate the jawbone, the bone around the missing tooth will begin to deteriorate. Over time, the jawbone may deteriorate to such an extent that there may not be enough bone to place dental implants. In such cases, your dentist may recommend a bone grafting procedure. Bone grafting replaces or augments missing bone around the teeth. We offer dental bone grafts in Lexington and Concord, MA, to restore the function and health of the jaw bone.
Types of Bone Grafting
There are three types of bone graft procedures: autogenous, allograft, and xenograft. Autogenous grafts take bone from one area of the patient’s body and transplant it to the location in the mouth being restored. The bone is usually taken from non-essential bones, such as the chin area. The benefit of an autogenous bone graft is that the bone used comes solely from the patient, thus reducing the likelihood of rejection and infection. The bone is still “live,” meaning it still has active cellular material.
Allografts also use human bone transplanted to the area in the mouth being restored. However, allografts do not use the patient’s bone. Instead, the bone usually comes from bone banks. All allograft bone material is carefully screened and is considered very safe.
Xenografts also replace bone in the area requiring treatment. However, the bone comes from a non-human source. Usually, the non-human source is bovine (cow). Allografts and Xenografts are used because they do not require a second surgical site to harvest bone, and ample amounts of bone can be easily attained.
Dental Bone Graft in Lexington, MA
To begin the grafting procedure, we use local anesthesia to numb the area where the bone will be removed and the bone will be augmented. An incision is made in the gums around where the bone will be augmented. This is done so the dentist can see exactly how much bone will be needed before harvesting it from the patient (if an autogenous graft is performed).
Next, the dentist will cut the gums below the lower front teeth to expose the chin bone. The dentist will then remove some of the bone and any bone marrow. This incision is then closed with stitches. The bone removed from the chin will be anchored in the jawbone with small titanium screws.
The dentist may place a mixture of your bone marrow and some bone-grafting material around the bone graft to help speed healing. The incision is then closed with stitches.
After the procedure, we will give you antibiotics and pain medication. You’ll be asked to follow a restricted diet of soft foods such as pasta and Jell-O. Bone grafts usually take about six to nine months to heal completely. We will not place dental implants until your mouth has healed completely.
Restore Your Bone Health
Learn more about the oral surgery procedures we offer in our dental offices. Call our Concord office at 978.391.6081. You can also call our Lexington office at 781.384.5892.