Bone filling

Essential Preparation for Successful Dental Implant Placement

  • Implant preparation: Allows the placement of dental implants by strengthening the jaw bone
  • Prevention of bone recession: Prevents bone breakdown following tooth extraction
  • Restoration of facial structure: Helps maintain the natural appearance of the visage en préservant l’os de la mâchoire
  • Improved masticatory function: Strengthens the jaw for better comfort when chewing
  • Longevity: With proper care, results can last a lifetime
  • High quality of grafts: The bone graft materials used are of the highest quality
  • Safe procedure: Minimal risk of complications when performed by experienced professionals.
Insertion d'un bio-matériel pour combler une perte osseuse
Insertion of biomaterial to compensate for bone loss

Dental Bone Graft: Everything You Need to Know

Dental bone grafting is a surgical procedure which aims to strengthen and solidify the bone volume of the alveolar bone in which the dental implants are anchored. This procedure is common to repair a dental defect, stabilise a dental prosthesis or fill spaces. Dental bone grafts are performed using bone grafts from the patient themselves or from a donor.

There are different types of dental bone grafts, including autogenous, allogeneic and xenogenic grafts. Autogenous grafts are the most common and involve taking bone from the patient themselves, usually from the jaw or chin, to transplant it to the area to be treated. Allogeneic transplants use bone from a human donor, while xenogenic transplants use bone from animals.

Dental bone grafting is a complex surgical procedure and carries risks and complications when taking a graft from the patient themselves. The use of synthetic grafts has greatly simplified the procedure by making it simpler to perform and with less risk, however the success of these augmentations is very limited.
It can be an effective solution, sometimes even the only solution, to strengthen bone volume and allow the placement of classic dental implants. The alternative would be to use a tailor-made implant after CBCT scan, such as the BoneEasy periosteal implant.
It is important to discuss with an oral health professional to determine whether dental bone grafting is an appropriate option for each individual case, a scan will be necessary to define each patient’s need, and provide a quote.

Key points

  • Dental bone grafting is a surgical procedure aimed at strengthening the bone volume of the alveolar bone for dental implants.

  • There are different types of dental bone grafts, with synthetic biomaterials, but also autogenous, allogeneic and xenogeneic grafts. (see explanations below)

  • Dental bone grafting carries risks and complications, but can be an effective solution to improve oral health.

 

Schéma explication d'une greffe osseuse pour mettre un implant
Progress from bone graft to implant

What is a dental bone graft

A dental bone graft is a surgical procedure which aims to fill a lack of bone volume in the jaw bone which accommodates the roots of the tooth. This procedure is often carried out a few months before dental implant placement.

The graft used for bone grafting can be autogenous, allogeneic or xenogenic. An autogenous graft is taken from the patient himself, while an allogeneic graft is taken from a human donor and a xenogenic graft is taken from an animal.

Dental bone grafting is a procedure that can be performed in patients with bone loss due to periodontal disease, tooth extraction or bone atrophy. This procedure is often recommended for patients who need a dental implant but do not have enough bone volume to receive it.

The maxillofacial surgeon is the specialist who performs the dental bone graft. This procedure can be performed under local or general anaesthesia, depending on the patient’s needs and the complexity of the procedure.

The risks associated with dental bone grafting are generally low, but there are risks of complications such as infection, pain, swelling, and graft loss. However, these risks can be minimized with good planning and appropriate surgical technique.

In summary, dental bone grafting is a surgical procedure which aims to fill a lack of bone volume in the jaw bone which accommodates the roots of the tooth. This procedure is often performed before dental implant placement and can be performed in patients with bone loss. The maxillofacial surgeon is the specialist who performs this procedure and the associated risks are generally low.

Greffe osseuse Intervention chirurgicale dentaire
Bone grafting Dental surgical procedure

Types of Dental Bone Grafts

Dental bone grafting is a surgical procedure that involves adding bone material to the alveolar bone in order to fill a lack of bone volume. There are different types of dental bone grafts, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

Autogenous

Autogenous bone grafting is performed from the patient’s own bone. The dental surgeon takes a bone fragment from a donor area, usually in the chin or wisdom tooth area. This method is preferred because it minimises the risks of rejection and infection. However, it requires double surgery to remove the bone and place it in the recipient area.

Allogeneic

Allogeneic bone grafting is performed using bone from a human donor. The bone is taken from a deceased donor and is processed to eliminate any risk of disease transmission. This method is less invasive than autogenous transplantation because it only requires one surgery. However, it carries a risk of rejection and infection.

Xenogene

Xenogenic bone grafting is performed from the bone of an animal, usually a bovine. The bone is treated to eliminate any risk of disease transmission. This method is less invasive than autogenous transplantation because it only requires one surgery. However, it carries a risk of rejection and infection. It has its clinical limitations

Alloplastic with biomaterial

Alloplastic bone grafting is made from synthetic materials such as ceramics or polymers. However, it may be less expensive than other methods. It has its clinical limitations

Platelet-rich plasma bone grafting

Platelet-rich plasma, advanced platelet-rich fibrin, and injectable platelet-rich fibrin can be obtained from a blood sample and mixed with a graft. Growth factors, particularly those of platelets, considerably improve the quality and volume of bone deposited during the bone remodelling process. Additionally, growth factors enhance the healing qualities of soft tissue, which helps prevent wound breakdown and loss of graft material. Bone density increases by approximately 25% with this technique, which can be used with any grafting procedure.

The PRP Harvest Prep True Juicer is our favorite option. Alternatively, to facilitate healing, we currently use aPRF and iPRF techniques.

What material is best for bone grafting?

Although there are several choices on the market when it comes to bone grafting and the material used may depend on the experience of your dentist, human bone will always be best. The reason is simple.

If we take a graft from you, the patient, some cells from the bone survive and help form new bone. This gives the best results. If we take stored human bones, there are no cells – just jelly-like collagen and calcium. This type of graft still works but not as well. If we take animal bones, the body gets rid of almost all of that to produce new collagen and calcium that is made from you.

The goal of a bone graft is to implant bone under the gum so that it “knits” with your existing bone.

Human bone grafting, whether from your own bone or from a bone bank, is the most predictable in terms of success and longevity.

Scanner pour préparer une greffe osseuse
Scan to decide on a bone graft

In summary, each type of dental bone graft has its advantages and disadvantages. The choice of method will depend on several factors such as the amount of bone needed, the risks of rejection and infection, and the cost of the procedure. The dental surgeon will discuss the different options with the patient and help them choose the method best suited to their needs.

Insertion d'un bio-matériel pour combler une perte osseuse
Insertion of biomaterial to compensate for bone loss

The Dental Bone Grafting Process

Dental bone grafting is a surgical procedure which aims to increase the bone volume of the jaw to allow the placement of a dental implant. This procedure is performed by a maxillofacial surgeon under local or general anaesthesia.

The dental bone grafting process begins with an initial consultation with the surgeon to assess bone volume and determine if bone grafting is necessary. If grafting is recommended, the surgeon will discuss different grafting options with the patient.

Before the procedure, the patient should refrain from eating or drinking for several hours. The surgeon will then begin the procedure by making an incision in the gum to expose the jaw bone. The graft, which can be taken from the patient or from a donor, is then placed in the jawbone to increase bone volume.

Once the graft is in place, the surgeon closes the incision with sutures. The patient may experience some pain and swelling after the procedure, but this can be alleviated with pain relievers and ice.

Healing of the dental bone graft can take several months. During this time, the graft fuses with the existing jawbone to create a strong foundation for the dental implant.

In conclusion, dental bone grafting is a complex surgical procedure that requires considerable expertise and experience. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of bone grafting with their surgeon before making an informed decision.

Risks and Complications

Dental bone grafting is a surgical procedure that carries certain risks and complications. Although the risks are low, it is important to know about possible complications so that you can prevent or treat them quickly.

Risks of infection

Infection is one of the risks associated with dental bone grafting. It can occur at several levels of the intervention, such as the grafted area, the bone fragment harvesting site or post-operative sinusitis. Bacteria can enter the surgical wound and cause infection. To avoid this risk, patients should be treated by clinicians with appropriate training, expertise and experience. The clinic must have a very good asepsis and antisepsis protocol. Patients must strictly adhere to the protocol and postoperative instructions.

Rejection of grafts

It is possible that the body will reject the bone graft, which can cause the graft to fail. This can happen if the graft is not compatible with the recipient or if the recipient’s immune system considers the graft to be a foreign body. To avoid this risk, dentists often use bone grafts from the patient’s own body or from human donors.

Hematoma

A hematoma is an accumulation of blood inside the tissues. It can occur after surgery, including dental bone grafting. Although hematomas are usually benign, they can cause significant pain and swelling.

In summary, dental bone grafting carries certain risks and complications, including infection, graft rejection, and hematoma. However, these risks are relatively small and can be reduced by following the dentist’s instructions and caring for the surgical wound after the procedure.

Healing and Healing

After dental bone grafting, healing is a crucial process for the healing of the grafted area. Healing time can vary depending on several factors, including the quality of the transplanted bone, the extent of the graft, and the individual patient response. In general, it takes between 2 and 5 days for the mucous membrane to heal.

During the first days following the operation, it is normal to feel a slight swelling in the operated area. To reduce swelling, it is recommended to apply cold compresses to the area for about 20 minutes at a time, with breaks between each application.

Healing of the grafted area may take several months. In general, it takes about 3 to 6 months for the grafted bone to consolidate and reach full strength. During this time, it is important to follow your dentist’s instructions to ensure optimal healing.

It is also important to take care of the grafted area after the operation. Your dentist may recommend that you use an antiseptic mouthwash to prevent infections and that you not eat hard or sticky foods for the first few days after surgery.

In summary, healing and healing are important processes after dental bone grafting. It is important to follow your dentist’s instructions to ensure optimal healing and to take care of the grafted area to avoid complications.

Post-Operative Care

After dental bone grafting, it is essential to follow the recommended postoperative care for rapid and effective healing. Postoperative care includes oral hygiene, diet, tooth brushing, antibiotic use, and scaling.

Oral hygiene

It is important to maintain good oral hygiene after dental bone grafting. This involves brushing your teeth regularly with a soft toothbrush and flossing to remove food residue and plaque. It is recommended to wait 24 hours after surgery to brush your teeth, then do so carefully to avoid damaging the grafted area.

Food

After dental bone grafting, it is important to follow a healthy, balanced diet to promote healing. It is recommended to consume soft, easy-to-chew foods such as soups, purees, fruit compotes and smoothies. Avoid hot, spicy, and hard foods that can irritate the transplanted area.

Brushing your teeth

Brushing your teeth is essential to maintaining good oral hygiene after dental bone grafting. It is recommended to brush your teeth after each meal with a soft toothbrush and floss to remove food residue and plaque. It is important not to brush the grafted area for the first few days following surgery to avoid damage to the grafted area.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infections after dental bone grafting. It is important to follow the dentist’s instructions for taking antibiotics. It is also important not to stop taking antibiotics before the end of treatment, even if the symptoms have disappeared.

Descaling

Scaling may be necessary before dental bone grafting to remove tartar and plaque deposits. It is recommended to have your mouth perfectly clean before any surgical procedure. The human mouth has the highest bacterial load in the human body, we reduce bacteria counts through cleaning methods before surgery and special cleaning aids such as BlueM oxygen releasing products after surgery. By following this postoperative care, it is possible to promote rapid and effective healing after dental bone grafting.

Bone Regeneration

Bone regeneration is a dental bone grafting technique that aims to stimulate the growth and regeneration of bone in an area where it is insufficient or damaged. It is often used to increase the bone volume of the alveolar bone, which is the bone that surrounds the roots of the teeth.

Bone regeneration can be achieved using different types of grafts, such as autologous, allogeneic or synthetic bone grafts. The choice of graft will depend on several factors, such as the amount of bone needed, the location of the area to be regenerated and the patient’s state of health.

Bone regeneration can be carried out using different techniques, such as guided bone regeneration (GBR) or bone expansion technique. GBR consists of placing a bone biomaterial or autologous bone in the form of chips on the site to be augmented and isolating it from the gum by a collagen membrane. Since the gum proliferates faster than the bone, it risks disrupting bone regeneration. The bone expansion technique consists of applying mechanical force to the bone in order to stretch it and stimulate its growth.

Bone regeneration is a safe and effective technique to increase bone volume in the alveolar bone. It can be used for bone reconstruction after dental extraction or for the preservation of extraction sockets in order to prepare for the placement of dental implants. However, like any surgical procedure, it carries risks, such as infection, pain and inflammation. It is therefore important to discuss the benefits and risks of bone regeneration with the dentist before deciding on the procedure.

The Importance of Dental Bone Graft

Dental bone grafting is a surgical procedure that compensates for loss of bone volume in the jaw. This procedure is particularly important for people who have suffered tooth loss, malformation or who suffer from periodontal disease. It is also recommended for edentulous or elderly people who have bone insufficiency.

Dental bone grafting is often necessary before the placement of dental implants. Indeed, it is important to have a sufficient quantity of bone so that the implants can be firmly fixed. Bone grafting therefore makes it possible to strengthen the bone structure of the jaw and optimize the success of dental implantation.

Implant dentaire avec greffe osseuse
Dental implant with internal sinus lift bone graft

There are several types of dental bone graft depending on the extent of the bone deficiency. Pre-implant bone grafting is carried out before implant placement, when bone insufficiency is very significant. Simultaneous bone grafting is performed at the same time as implant placement, when bone insufficiency is moderate. Finally, post-implant bone grafting is carried out after placement of the implants, when the bone insufficiency is slight.

Dental bone grafting is a surgical procedure that carries risks and possible complications. It is therefore important to choose your dental surgeon carefully and to follow the post-operative instructions for better healing and optimal recovery.

When is a Sinus Lift necessary?

Definition of sinus lift

The sinus lift is a surgical procedure which aims to increase the height of the upper jaw bone, specifically at the level of the premolars and molars. It is performed by lifting the membrane of the maxillary sinus and inserting bone graft material into it. This technique is also known as intra-sinus bone grafting.

Sinus lift indications

Sinus lift is generally recommended in the following cases:

  • Bone loss due to gum disease (periodontitis)

  • Bone loss due to tooth extraction

  • Bone loss due to natural age-related bone atrophy

  • Insufficient bone volume for placement of dental implants

The sinus lift is particularly recommended when the height of the maxillary bone is less than 5 mm between the bone crest and the bottom of the sinus. In these cases, the placement of dental implants is often impossible without bone grafting.

In summary, sinus lift is a common surgical procedure to increase the thickness of the upper jaw bone, often necessary for the placement of dental implants. This technique is generally recommended for patients suffering from bone loss due to gum disease, tooth extraction, or natural age-related bone atrophy.

This can be done through the old socket for small elevations (Internal Elevation) or by creating a window in the bone lateral to the sinus when more bone graft is needed (lateral elevation).

Internal elevation generally does not cause any more side effects or complications than simple implant surgery. External elevation will require close monitoring for at least 1 week.

The procedure can be performed under local anaesthesia in many cases where small amounts of bone graft are taken from adjacent areas in the mouth. General anaesthesia is available for more extensive elevations which are rare, but may involve the placement of bone banks or even hip grafts.

There is now evidence that the introduction of short dental implants reduces the number of cases requiring external sinus elevations, and this represents a huge benefit.

Sinus lift, création d'un volet
Sinus lift, creation of a flap
Sinus lift, le volet soulève la muqueuse sinusale
Sinus lift, the flap lifts the sinus mucosa
Sinus lift, mise en place de bio matériel
Sinus lift, installation of biomaterial

frequently asked Questions
How is a bone graft performed for a tooth?

Bone grafting with biomaterial is relatively simple, and the procedure is similar to that of implant placement, with rigorous asepsis and under local anaesthesia.

A bone graft for a tooth is generally carried out under local anaesthesia. The surgeon begins by taking bone from another part of the patient’s body or uses synthetic bone. Then he inserts the bone into the space where the missing tooth was. The duration of the procedure depends on the amount of bone needed and can vary from 30 minutes to several hours.

Bone graft success rate

The success rate of a dental bone graft depends on several factors, such as the quality of the bone used, the patient’s general health, and the surgical technique used. Generally, the success rate is around 80-90%.

What is the average price of a dental bone graft?

The average price of a dental bone graft depends on several factors, such as the amount of bone needed, the surgical technique used, and the geographic region. In Europe, the average cost of a dental bone graft can vary from 500 to 3000 euros. At Bucharest British Dental Place clinic, the average cost is from €200 for a tooth. A quote with a scanner will allow you to define the cost more precisely. Do not hesitate to request a free quote.

What are the risks associated with a dental bone graft?

Like any surgical procedure, a dental bone graft carries risks, such as bleeding, infection and pain. It is also possible that the body will reject the graft. However, these risks are rare and can be minimised by following the surgeon’s instructions.

How long does healing take after dental bone grafting?

Healing time after dental bone grafting depends on the amount of bone used and the surgical technique used. In general, healing takes between 3 and 6 months.

Can a dental bone graft be reimbursed by social security?

A dental bone graft can be reimbursed by social security if it is considered a necessary medical intervention. However, reimbursement may vary depending on the region and the patient’s personal situation.

What to do if there is an infection after dental bone grafting?

If an infection occurs after dental bone grafting, it is important to contact the surgeon promptly. It may be necessary to take antibiotics to treat the infection. In more severe cases, further surgery may be necessary.

What to do if the procedure fails?

Sometimes a graft may require several steps and a bone graft may need to be supplemented with a soft tissue graft.

3d-render-of-dental-bone-grafting-with-bone-biomaterial-and-memb