Why do I need a bone graft?
The loss of a tooth due to infections or periodontitis can result in a reduction in bone volume. This could mean in ability to place implants without affecting vital structures such as nerves or the maxillary sinus.
Bone augmentationis a procedure used to increase the volume of jaw bone to allow implant placement. Your own bone can be used or more commonly pharmaceutical bone regenerative material from animal plant or synthetic sources can be used.
Augmented bone is poorer than natural bone therefore it is essential to consider implant placement soon after a tooth is lost or ideally even before it is lost. This will reduce the amount of bone loss that increases with time after an extraction.
What is socket preservation?
This is a technique aimed at reducing the volume of bone loss after a tooth extraction in order to maximise the chances of being able to replace it with a dental implant. The procedure uses bone graft materials from synthetic or animal sources to be able to encourage bone growth along with animal collagen membranes to protect the growing bone. Th success of the procedure depends on various factors such was whether the patient is a smoker and the type of gum surrounding the site of the extracted tooth.
Can a bone graft and a dental implant be placed at the same time?
This process is usually considered in most cases when a tooth has been removed recently or when the bone volume is moderately deficient. It utilises bone graft material from animal or synthetic origin and is only considered in the presence of enough natural bone to anchor the implant.
When is a separate bone augmentation surgery needed?
This is usually needed with the volume of existing bone is severely compromised and as such will not provide sufficient support for a dental implant.
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What is the maxillary sinus? This is a void in the maxilla (upper jaw) that develops in childhood and grows as we get older. It is very common for it to enlarge and engulf the roots of the upper molars teeth thereby reducing the volume of bone available to replace these teeth with implants. In such cases an internal or lateral window sinus augmentation will be needed. |
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What is sinus augmentation or sinus lift?
This is a procedure used to increase the volume of bone in the upper jaw by encouraging bone growth in the maxillary sinus. The technique was first proposed in 1974 and has an excellent clinical track record with numerous worldwide trials demonstrating its utility for increasing bone volume for implant placement.
There are two approaches depending on the volume of remaining natural bone: internal or lateral window sinus augmentation. The internal augmentation uses a keyhole approach for placing a single implant whereas the lateral window approach is used for placing multiple implants. Both techniques are minimally invasive and are undertaken with local anaesthetic like a filling. More often than not, regenerative materials animal plant or synthetic sources can be used to maximise the sinus bone growth potential. Dental implants are increasing being placed at the same time as the sinus augmentation but if there is a contraindication then the implants are usually placed 6-9 months later.
The immediate side-effects include pain, swelling or bruising which usually lasts for 7-10 days and responds well to over the counter painkillers. You may feel sinus congestion as a result of the treatment due to the immediate inflammation that occurs after the surgery but this usually settles quickly like the other side effects. It is highly recommended NOT to blow ones nose for 14 days after the procedure to avoid disrupting the healing site within the sinus space.
What is sinus augmentation or sinus lift?
This is a procedure used to increase the volume of bone in the upper jaw by encouraging bone growth in the maxillary sinus. The technique was first proposed in 1974 and has an excellent clinical track record with numerous worldwide trials demonstrating its utility for increasing bone volume for implant placement.
There are two approaches depending on the volume of remaining natural bone: internal or lateral window sinus augmentation. The internal augmentation uses a keyhole approach for placing a single implant whereas the lateral window approach is used for placing multiple implants. Both techniques are minimally invasive and are undertaken with local anaesthetic like a filling. More often than not, regenerative materials animal plant or synthetic sources can be used to maximise the sinus bone growth potential. Dental implants are increasing being placed at the same time as the sinus augmentation but if there is a contraindication then the implants are usually placed 6-9 months later.
The immediate side-effects include pain, swelling or bruising which usually lasts for 7-10 days and responds well to over the counter painkillers. You may feel sinus congestion as a result of the treatment due to the immediate inflammation that occurs after the surgery but this usually settles quickly like the other side effects. It is highly recommended NOT to blow ones nose for 14 days after the procedure to avoid disrupting the healing site within the sinus space.
