Bone Graft to Jaw

Dental bone graft is a procedure used prior to dental implantation in cases where the jaw bone of patients is not prepared for implantation because of either its solubility or its atrophy due to certain diseases or the removal of the tooth and waiting for long periods before taking the decision to fill the gap and implant.

The source of the implanted bone is different depending on the case. It can be taken from the jaw bone of the patient himself (from the chin or behind the wisdom teeth) and implanted in the designated area to strengthen the bone, or rely on bone from another person (deceased) or from an animal (often cows), and some surgeons may rely on artificial bones to support the jaw. It is claimed that the best type of bones is that which relies on the patient's own bones, but other sources are safe without any complications or side effects. Artificial or animal sources are considered to be under international standards, and subject to a set of practical studies that proved to be effective and safe for human use.

The process of grafting or bone transplantation is one of the procedures that have high success rates close to 98%.

Bone grafting or bone transplantation procedure requires approximately 6 months.

Some jaw and teeth surgeons may have to use bone graft in order to re-stablish enough bone to support implants.  This is normally used with patients who have atrophied bones in one of the jaws that prevent them from undergoing dental implants due to a disease or due to waiting for a long period of time after a tooth or a molar is removed. New bone can provide a good place to install long lasting tooth implants.

Bone transplantation can include some complications including:

• Bleeding.
• Nerve damage.
• Inflammation of bone implanted due to lack of good sterilization.
• Gingivitis.

Dental bone graft includes the following steps:

1. In the first visit, the dentist will perform a comprehensive evaluation of gums and jaw through radiographs of the jaws and then prepare a treatment plan.

2.  In the second visit, the procedure of bone transplantation begins through the opening of the gums and the implantation of new bones under the influence of local anesthesia, then bone and accompanying area are covered with an insulation membrane and the dentist waits about 6 months until the integration of new bone with the jaw. 

Bone graft surgery takes about 35 to 40 minutes.

The patient feels pain and swelling after a few hours of anesthesia. This pain can be controlled by taking sedative medications under the supervision of a dental surgeon to determine the dose and time. In addition, the patient is given a group of antibiotics for a certain period to reduce the chances of inflammation.

The patient should take care of oral hygiene during the waiting period until the implanted bone is completed. These bone grafts are supposed to remain with the patient for the rest of his life and the dental implants rely on them that will be added after the healing period has elapsed.