Bone Grafting
Socket Preservation
Careful management of extraction sockets after tooth extraction prevents unsightly bone loss and provides a better cosmetic outcome for tooth replacement.
Bone grafting following tooth loss can preserve the socket(s) and minimize gum and bone collapse. There is less shrinkage and a more esthetic tooth replacement for either an implant crown or fixed bridge around the replacement teeth.
Ridge Augmentation
Ridge/bone augmentation is often used to rebuild or reshape bone loss due to periodontal disease, trauma, and bone atrophy. Patient’s own bone and/or bone obtained from a bone/tissue bank may be used. This bone acts only as a scaffold for the newly developing patient’s bone. It is used extensively with dental implant procedures to ensure a good functional and cosmetic result. Often times, a special membrane may be used to protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration.
Sinus Augmentation
Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. The maxillary sinuses are located above the roots of the upper teeth in the back. When these upper teeth are removed, and there is a thin layer of bone, but not enough bone present between the sinus and mouth, an “Inferior Sinus Augmentation” procedure will be necessary at the time of implant placement for implant stability.
However, if there is not enough bone available, a “Lateral Sinus Augmentation” will have to be performed first and the graft will have to mature for several months. Dental implants are then placed in this new sinus bone.