One of the biggest problems and challenges in modern implantology is bone loss in the jaw. Tooth extraction, inflammatory processes or trauma, in most cases lead to the loss of the original bone volume.
Sometimes the amount of bone lost is so large that the procedure of implant or prosthesis placement is not feasible without replacing a specific part of the bone. This procedure is called bone augmentation or implantation.
How bone augmentation is performed
There are several options for jaw augmentation. The most common approach to bone augmentation is called phalloplasty. Which uses synthetic bone material developed in the laboratory.
Then there is an option called auto-transplantation which means that the bone is taken from another place and transplanted.
The material used for augmentation may be a portion of bone taken from a site such as the chin, hip, or lower leg.
If the bone is used from the hip, you will have to go to the hospital for surgery under general anaesthesia. This method is used very rarely.
Alternative options include bones taken from another human being called an allograft. The third type is xenograft, where the bone is taken from animals, such as cows.
Both natural and synthetic bone mass is stored in the office and used under local anaesthesia for the bone augmentation procedure.
Other types of dental procedures for jaw augmentation
A number of other procedures can be performed to enlarge the jawbone in the mouth to support implants, including the following.
- A sinus lifting procedure. – Which increases the height of the bone in the upper jaw above the premolar and molar teeth to support the placement of dental implants.
- Reef expansion. – A surgical procedure performed to dilate the upper jaw to support implants. The bone is divided and material is placed in the divided area to create new bone that will expand the upper jaw.
- Disruptive osteogenesis. – Allows a shorter bone to be made into a long bone. The bone is cut during surgery. And the distractor slowly separates the two parts of the bone and new bone shapes fill the space.
Preservation of the alveolar ridge or preservation of the cavity is a surgical procedure to reduce bone loss after tooth extraction and prevent bone resorption.
Recovery after oral surgery
After the bone augmentation, your doctor will give you oral care instructions to follow while you wait for the new bone to heal. It takes between one and nine months for the bone to heal completely. During this time, you may not be able to wear dentures or eat certain foods.
We recommend rinsing your mouth with mouthwash, as it provides 12 hours of antibacterial protection and kills 99 per cent of bacteria on contact. You may be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection and painkillers to relieve the discomfort.