About Bone Grafting

Major & Minor Bone Grafting

Missing teeth over a period of time can cause your jaw bone to resorb and if enough teeth are missing, then undergo a process known as “atrophy”. This often results in a decreased quantity of bone which would otherwise be required for the placement of dental implants.  

Dr. Stanford has advanced training in bone grafting and guide bone regeneration surgical techniques, resulting in the ability to transfer bone to where it is needed. This allows you to have implants of proper size, and a chance to restore functionality with a cosmetic appearance.

MAJOR BONE GRAFTING

During your evaluation, Dr. Stanford will discuss if bone grafting is recommended.  

Major bone grafts are typically performed to repair defects of the jaws. These defects may arise as a result of traumatic injuries, tumor surgery, or congenital defects.

The bone is either obtained from a tissue bank or harvested from other sites in the mouth or body. There are a number of different areas depending on the size and amount needed. Examples include the skull (cranium), hip (iliac crest), and lateral knee (tibia), are common donor sites. These procedures are routinely performed in an operating room and require a hospital stay.

Sinus bone grafts can also be performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw due to “sinus pneumatization”. In addition, special resorbable collagen membranes may be utilized to protect the bone graft. This is called guided bone regeneration, or guided tissue regeneration.