Bone Grafting
All these specialist procedures are performed with the use of magnifying loupes or microscopy and additional surgical lights. Surgical miniaturised dental instruments are also used.
Sometimes when there is not enough bone for a dental implant or bridge, it is necessary to add additional bone to your jaw. Tooth loss due to gum disease, injury, dental cavities and infection can increase the loss of bone over time. Bone grafting will allow for a dental implant procedure to take place.
During the specialist procedure, a small incision is made in your gum to expose the bone beneath it, then the bone graft is added. Bone for this procedure can be donated from other places such as your own body, a donated source or made from a synthetic substance. Over time, the bone graft will be absorbed by your body and replaced by your own bone.
Types of Bone Grafts
Autograft
This process involves taking bone from a site in your body and moving it to the recipient site. This process involves creating two surgical sites one from which the bone is harvested and one where it will be deposited.
Allograft
This refers to laboratory-processed human bone from a deceased donor that comes from a tissue bank.
Xenograft
This bone grafting material comes from an animal — usually a cow. This process is completely safe for use in human bone grafts and causes no adverse responses. The materials have gone through a series of pharmaceutical treatment for preparation before reaching the surgical table.
Alloplast
This type of graft uses synthetic (man-made) materials. These come in a variety of forms including, powder, granules, putty and even gel, which injected through a syringe.
All materials present advantages and disadvantages in their own term, your consultation is where all the discussion in treatment of choice and treatment material of choice take place.
FAQs
Is the procedure painful?No. While the procedure takes place you will be under local anaesthetic and possible sedation or happy gas which often provide favourable relief in both pain and anxiety. After the surgery, mild discomfort is controlled with conventional pain medication.
Can a bone graft fail?
The success rate for bone grafts in the jaw is very high. Bone grafts are not rejected in the same way that organ transplants can be rejected. It is very rare and uncommon to experience graft rejection.
How long does the procedure take?
Most bone grafting procedures usually take anywhere from 60 to 120 minutes.
How long is recovery following surgery?
Full recovery from the surgery takes about two weeks, off-work recommendation is for couple days up to a week. However, it is not a procedure that leaves you bed-bounded. Having said that, Prof. Q is often happy to throw in a medical certificate that spares you from helping out your partner with the dishes for a while.
How long is it until my bone regrows after surgery?
In most cases the waiting time until solid bone mass begins to appear is anywhere from 3 to 6 months.
Specialist Clinical Expertise
Based on Research & Clinical Experience
Over the years, Professor Quaranta has developed an extensive expertise and leadership in clinical research.
Together with his Clinical Research Team, he has successfully practised surgeries and clinical studies using most of the dental grafts and biomaterials. His expertise will provide guidance to your choice of treatment and the associated medical materials.
For more information, please see the Media page.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding with a surgical or invasive procedure, you should seek opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.