Modern dentistry seeks to preserve teeth for as long as possible.
That is why, over time, the techniques used to achieve this goal have evolved and become increasingly complex.
The reason for this is simple, namely to try to achieve the maximum even when the supporting tissues are small and have characteristics that are at the limit of tooth preservation.
Whether it is prosthetic reconstructions, surgical treatments involving the gums or bone grafting, dentistry is finding solutions in many clinical situations that seem impossible to treat.
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure in which bone fragments are harvested from certain areas of the oral cavity and transported to places where bone support is reduced.
For example, before the insertion of implants, the alveolar ridge may be reduced in height or thickness, requiring bone augmentation. Bone grafts can be harvested from the chin, tuberosities, bony oblique lines or any other area that is not involved in performing the functions of the oral cavity and consists of dense bone.
Features
Bone grafts have a number of qualities including:
They are used when the oral cavity has minor to major bone defects.
If the bone defect is major, bone grafts from other possible donor areas, other than the oral cavity, are considered due to the increased bone availability.
Bone defect may occur with advancing age, when physiological bone support is reduced or in case of trauma.
Also, in patients with periodontal disease, bone is unsatisfactory in quantity and quality in certain regions of the oral cavity.
In these situations, the range of dental treatments can be extended once the dentist has adequate bone support.
Bone grafts are harvested from the same patient under local anesthesia.
The areas from which the bone is harvested will not remain uncovered. A blood clot will form there, indicating the first stage of healing. Then, over time, new bone tissue will fill the defect created by the harvest. The newly formed tissue will have a volume of about 50% of the old bone.
The site from which the bone grafts are harvested does not have to be an important, functional area, because in the case of implant prosthesis, the region will be poor in hard tissue.
Following bone grafting at the site of choice, surgical treatment to insert the implants can be continued after approximately 4-6 months. During this time, the bone will integrate, strengthen and acquire the qualities necessary to maintain a dental implant.
The application of bone grafts is a procedure that has a high chance of success, with an increased percentage of successful operations.
However, patients should be aware that smoking reduces the chances of integration of the graft and the implant, so to increase the success rate of the treatment, it is recommended to stop smoking at least 6 months before and 6 months after the procedure.
