Bone Grafting

Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for placement of dental implants.

We now have the ability to grow bone where needed. This gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, and it also gives us a chance to more effectively restore esthetic appearance and functionality.

Ridge Preservation

Careful management of extraction sockets after tooth extraction prevents unsightly bone loss and a better cosmetic outcome of tooth replacement.

What is a Ridge Preservation Procedure?

Advanced periodontal disease, tooth fracture, or other types of abscesses may cause severe bone loss around a tooth, requiring that the tooth be extracted.

When a tooth is extracted, healing occurs by a combination of "shrinkage" of the remaining extraction socket bone, and some bone growth from the base of the extraction site. The result is often loss of bone where the tooth used to be, and a depression in the remaining ridge of bone.

This problem can now be avoided. At the time the tooth is extracted, the area is filled with one of a number of resorbable "calcium materials", and the area is covered with a membrane barrier.

The barrier prevents the gum tissue from growing into the extraction area, and protects the underlying calcium materials and the forming bone.

The calcium materials encourage your own bone to grow into the area, and these materials are totally resorbed and eliminated by the body.

This treatment will often result in the complete regeneration of the lost bone in the area of the tooth extraction.

Regenerating damaged and lost bone at the time of extraction of the tooth provides the following advantages:

• The bone between the extracted tooth and the adjacent tooth is preserved or regenerated. The health of the adjacent tooth is thus improved.
• A ridge deformity does not develop, and the appearance of the ridge is more natural. The esthetics of the area is preserved or improved.
• The regenerated bone allows placement of an implant to replace the missing tooth.

If a ridge deformity exists because this procedure was not performed at the time the tooth was extracted, this procedure can be performed at a later date with beneficial results.

Commonly Asked Questions About Ridge Preservation Procedures

Q: How long does a ridge preservation procedure take?

A: The extraction of the tooth and the placement of the regenerative materials takes approximately 60 minutes. Naturally, the exact length of time will vary from case to case. The stitches are removed 7-10 days later in a 10 minute visit. One or two ten minute check-up visits may be scheduled to ensure the area has healed correctly, and an x-ray will be taken a few months later to evaluate the amount of new bone growth.

Q: Will the ridge preservation procedure hurt?

A: Only "novocaine" is necessary to perform an extraction and ridge preservation procedure. During the visit you feel nothing since the area is numb. When the "novocaine" wears off, there will be some mild discomfort. Medication will be prescribed to control any discomfort you might experience. This procedure will not cause you to miss work, etc.

Q: Does the barrier which has been placed to accomplish the ridge preservation remain in my mouth?

A: If a dissolving type of membrane is utilized, it will be gone a few weeks after the procedure. If a non-dissolving barrier is used, it will be removed in a minor procedure which takes 15 minutes.

Q: What is the cost of the procedure?

A: The cost of the ridge preservation procedure will vary with the situation. However, your doctor will ensure that this matter is discussed with you thoroughly before proceeding with any treatment.

Q: How well does a ridge preservation procedure work?

A: The ridge preservation procedure is very predictable. The procedure rebuilds damaged bone, resulting in improved esthetics, continued health of the adjacent teeth, and the establishment of adequate bone for implant placement, if necessary.

What is a Sinus Augmentation?

Loss of posterior teeth results in excessive forces being placed on your remaining teeth. Fortunately, the use of dental implants and crowns allows you to replace these missing teeth.

However, the position of the sinus in the upper posterior areas may be too low for proper placement of dental implants.

A simple procedure allows the sinus floor to be repositioned, creating enough space to properly place an implant.

Various calcium grafting materials are used to encourage your bone to grow more quickly into the area, helping to stabilize the dental implant. These calcium grafting materials are replaced by your own bone as it grows into the area.

Under certain conditions, an even simpler procedure can be utilized. When possible, the bone remaining under the sinus floor is gently "pushed up", thus lifting the floor of the "dropped" sinus.

Calcium bone replacement materials are then placed beneath this lifted bone. Once again, the bone replacement materials are replaced as your body grows new bone into this area.

Following sufficient healing of a sinus augmentation, (or at the time of sinus augmentation when possible) implants are placed in a predictable and successful manner.

Commonly Asked Questions About Sinus Augmentation

Q: How long does a sinus augmentation procedure take?

A: The visit to perform a sinus augmentation procedure is approximately 1-1.5 hours.

Q: Will the sinus augmentation procedure hurt?

A: Only "novocaine" is necessary to perform a sinus augmentation procedure. During the visit you will feel nothing once the area has been numbed. When the "novocaine" wears off, there will be some mild discomfort. Medication will be prescribed to control any discomfort you might experience. The procedure will not cause you to miss work, etc.

Q: What is the cost of a sinus augmentation procedure?

A: The cost of a sinus augmentation procedure will vary with the situation. However, your dentist will ensure that this matter is discussed with you thoroughly before receiving treatment.

Q: How long do I have to wait after a sinus augmentation procedure is performed before having the implants placed?

A: Depending upon your individual situation, the implants may be placed at the time the sinus augmentation procedure is performed. If the implants are not placed at that time, you would wait 6-10 months after the sinus augmentation procedure to place the implants, depending on your individual situation.

Q: How well do sinus augmentation procedures work?

A: Sinus augmentation procedures are highly predictable, with studies reporting over 95% success. It is important to realize that if the sinus augmentation procedure does not result in enough bone for implant placement, additional bone may be regenerated through a second sinus augmentation procedure at the time the implants are placed.