Reversing Bone Loss

What Does Bone Graft Have To Do With Dental Implants TreatmentThe regrowth of bone that has been lost is known as bone regeneration or osseous regeneration. In dentistry, this occurs from periodontal disease, meaning bacteria that has extended through your teeth or gums, and has reached down to the root and bone. The bacterial infection proceeds to destroy the bone, making it unable to support your tooth.

Once bone has been lost, it is very difficult to grow it back. Dental bone that has already been lost needs to be replaced by undergoing bone grafting. Bone grafting is a relatively simple in office procedure performed by your dentist.

Most patients find that the wound heals within 2 weeks, though your dentist may tell you that it is necessary to wait for 3-6 months before results can be seen of the bone grafting procedure.

Bone grafting dental bone can be divided into three main types of procedures:
Osteogenesis Type Bone Graft – In this type of bone graft, the dentist takes bone from your own body, generally from the jaw or mandible, and then transfers it to the area where you have dental bone loss. In place, the transferred bone cells will begin to multiply and then create new bone to replace the bone that had been lost. By taking bone from your own body, and transferring it to another area, you are significantly increasing the odds of successful transferring. The results are generally most favorable with this type of grafting.
Demineralized Bone Matrix – Can use bone grafting material from cadavers and bone banks. This material is then transferred to the patient to complete the graft and will cause stem cells to grow where bone is missing. DBM grafts are legal and a safe option, the grafting material is sterilized thoroughly before placement. The patient will be watched closely to ensure that rejection is not occurring.
Osteoconduction Bone Grafts – Using a grafting material that is known as a bioactive glass, your dentist is able to place this fine scaffold material, that will induce your bone to regrow. In this option, the patient is working to regenerate bone material.

Please contact us if you are suffering from gum disease.