When Is a Bone Graft Needed?

bone graft Saratoga Springs, NY

A bone graft procedure is used to reconstruct and rebuild bone tissue. It involves transferring healthy bone tissue to a part of the body with damaged or deficient tissues. The tissues used as grafting material can be taken from the patient's body, a cadaver or an animal, or it can be synthetically made in a lab.  

Learn some of the reasons why and the circumstances when a bone graft may be needed. There are several common bone grafting techniques that are often used by dentists.

Why do patients need bone grafts?

Having healthy jawbone tissue is a prerequisite for dental implants. However, sometimes patients have deteriorated bone tissues that cannot support an implant due to several issues.

For example, a person may lose some bone tissue because a tooth was lost and not replaced with an implant, causing a weakening of jaw bone tissue due to lack of stimulation by the tooth root. The only way to resolve this is to reconstruct the patient’s bones structure with a bone graft.

Common bone graft types

There are four types of bone graft that are commonly used. Each of these types has its own pros and cons:

  • Xenograft tissue – This type of graft is taken from animals. This option is typically easy to get. However, there is a risk of transmitting diseases from the source to the patient.
  • Alloplast bone graft – This synthetic graft is made for a specific patient. The advantage of this graft is that it is not taken from another living creature. However, it does not stimulate the formation of new bones.
  • Autograft tissue – This graft is taken from another part of the patient’s own body. This ensures it is free from any unknown disease but can require extra surgery for the extraction.
  • Allograft tissue – This tissue is taken from a cadaver. The advantage is that the transplanted bones may become part of the patient's bone structure. However, the patient's own cells will not be triggered to form new bones.

Bone grafting techniques

There are several commonly practiced techniques for a bone graft. The block bone technique is for patients who have lost or damaged a lot of bone tissue. Usually, the damage has been occurring for quite a while. In this procedure, the dentist takes bones from other parts of the patient’s body. Then, these bones are transplanted into the area that needs to be rebuilt.

The particulate bone technique is for patients who have only lost or damaged a small amount of bone tissue. The difference between this technique and the previous one is that the dentist can immediately perform the dental implant procedure after finishing the bone graft.

Get the treatment you need

A bone graft allows for the rebuilding of jawbone tissue so a patient can be eligible for dental implants. Stop by or call our Saratoga Springs clinic to learn more about bone grafts and how they can be used to help you restore your smile.

Here is how to reach us…

Request an appointment here: https://www.mysaratogadentist.com or call My Saratoga Dentist PLLC at (518) 675-3094 for an appointment in our Saratoga Springs office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

A General Dentist Explains The Dangers Of Smoking

The field of general dentistry involves taking care of the whole mouth, not only the teeth. Tobacco use is dangerous to your overall well-being, but your oral health is particularly at risk. When you smoke, your mouth is the first place that the nicotine and tar go. A general dentist sees firsthand the damage that…

How Does A General Dentistry Treat Tooth Abscesses?

A tooth abscess is one of the most serious problems treated in general dentistry. It occurs due to an infection in the tooth or gums. The body sends white blood cells to the site to fight the infection. These form a yellowish-white fluid called pus. An abscess occurs when a pocket of pus forms in…

General Dentistry Tips For Avoiding Cavities

Cavities, also known as caries or tooth decay, create the biggest need for general dentistry visits. Cavities are the result of bacteria in the mouth combined with other factors like sugary drinks, frequent snacking, and failure to adequately clean the teeth. Tooth decay is particularly common in children, adolescents, and elderly adults, but everyone is…

How General Dentistry Can Improve Gum Health

The average dentist in the U.S. works in general dentistry. A general dentist works on the front lines of diagnostic and preventative care for patients of all ages. A checkup with a general dentist can result in the early detection of dental diseases, including gum disease. Patients who regularly set up dental appointments tend to…

Recent Posts

A General Dentist Explains The Dangers Of Smoking

A General Dentist Explains The Dangers Of Smoking

The field of general dentistry involves taking care of the whole mouth, not only the teeth. Tobacco use is dangerous to your overall well-being, but your oral health is particularly at risk. When you smoke, your mouth is the first place that the nicotine and tar go. A general dentist sees firsthand the damage that…

How Does A General Dentistry Treat Tooth Abscesses?

How Does A General Dentistry Treat Tooth Abscesses?

A tooth abscess is one of the most serious problems treated in general dentistry. It occurs due to an infection in the tooth or gums. The body sends white blood cells to the site to fight the infection. These form a yellowish-white fluid called pus. An abscess occurs when a pocket of pus forms in…