BONE GRAFTING/
SINUS AUGMENTATION/

After an extraction, the jaw bones undergo processes called bony remodeling and resorption.  As a result, there may not be adequate amount of bone present to support a dental implant.  Bone Grafting is an umbrella term that is used to describe procedures where bone is built or reconstructed to support a dental implant. Bone grafting includes: ridge preservation, ridge augmentation, and sinus augmentation/ sinus lift procedures.

 

Bone Grafting for Ridge Preservation:  procedure where a bone graft is placed into the extraction socket at time of the extraction.  This is mainly done to help prevent or slow down the process of resorption to allow for adequate bone to be present for implant placement.  Bone materials typically used for this procedure include patient’s own bone (autograft), sterilized cadaver bone (allograft) or sterilized bovine bone (Xenograft).

 

Bone Grafting for Ridge Augmentation: procedure where there is inadequate amount of bone present for implant placement after tooth extraction.  In ridge augmentation, a mixture of sterilized cadaver bone (allograft), and/or sterilized bovine bone (Xenograft), and/or patient’s own bone (autograft), and a protective membrane are used to build up the thickness and height of the bone necessary to support a dental implant.

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Bone Grafting for Sinus augmentation/ sinus lift:  procedure where a window is made in the upper jaw and the  membrane that lines the maxillary sinus is gently elevated.  Bone graft material is then placed under the elevated membrane to allow for implant placement.  In some cases an implant can be placed simultaneously with sinus augmentation/ lift procedure to save time during the healing process.

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Please feel free to give our office a call with any questions or concerns about bone grafting or sinus augmentation procedures.

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