Bone Grafting
Addressing jaw bone loss
When it comes to dental implants, a strong jawbone is key to keeping your implants secure and stable.
Is Bone Loss Affecting Your Oral Health?
Innovative Solutions for Better Oral Health
Strengthening your smile
When it comes to missing teeth, we know that restoring your smile is a priority. But, in some cases bone loss in the jaw can make successful restoration challenging. Bone Grafting is then an essential step in this process.
As accredited oral and maxillofacial surgeons, we specialise in restoring and rebuilding lost bone to ensure that the implants are fully supported for durable, lasting and natural-looking results. With our expertise and compassionate care, we’re dedicated to giving you back the smile you deserve.
Ensuring Successful Dental Implantation
What is bone grafting?
A successful and healthy dental implant requires bone and gum to support it. In many cases, there is enough bone and gum tissue to place an implant without adding more (grafting). However, in some cases there is not enough natural bone or gum tissue. This is often the case following tooth extractions, trauma, or resorption of bone with time. At the time of your consultation with our specialist, we will assess if this is needed for you.
Looking at your medical history
At your consultation, we’ll take the time to review your medical history, understand your overall health and determine the best approach to your treatment.
Keeping you informed
Based on your needs, we’ll develop a tailored plan for your bone grafting procedure. Our goal is to ensure you fully understand the process, so you know exactly what to expect every step of the way.
Discussing Your Anaesthesia Options
To ensure your comfort, we offer a range of anaesthesia options, including local anaesthesia and sedation. We’ll discuss what works best for you, ensuring a relaxed and pain-free experience.
Using state-of-the-art-tech
Our state-of-the-art equipment ensures accurate planning, minimal discomfort, and optimal results for your bone restoration.
How to know if I need grafting
Why is Bone Grafting Needed?
During your consultation, we review medical history, conduct exams and will review current imaging. Our personalised approach ensures your appointment is uniquely tailored to your specific needs.
Dental Implants
This is the most common reason. Dental implants are screw-shaped devices that act as artificial tooth roots. For them to be stable and successfully fuse with your jawbone (a process called osseointegration), there needs to be sufficient bone height and width. If there isn’t enough natural bone, a dental bone graft creates the necessary foundation.
Sinus Lift
The upper jaw is next to your maxillary sinus, which is an air filled space. Often this means there is not enough bone for an implant. In this case, you may require a sinus lift, where a bone graft is placed to increase the implant of bone here.
Tooth Loss
When a tooth is lost or extracted, the jawbone in that area no longer receives the stimulation from chewing. This leads to bone resorption, where the bone gradually deteriorates and is reabsorbed by the body. A bone graft can help prevent or reverse this bone loss.
Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)
Advanced gum disease can destroy the bone supporting your teeth. Bone grafting can help rebuild this lost bone and stabilize existing teeth.
Trauma or Injury
Accidents or injuries to the jaw can result in bone defects that require grafting.
Long-term Denture Wear
Overtime, wearing dentures can contribute to jawbone shrinkage, making it difficult for dentures to fit properly. Grafting can sometimes improve this.
Want To Learn More About Bone Grafting
Frequently asked questions
Preparing for a Bone Graft? Start with these FAQ’s
What’s a bone graft, and what’s it made of?
Over time, tooth loss can cause the jawbone to shrink. A bone graft is a procedure used to restore lost jawbone. To confirm you have enough bone for an implant, you’ll need to visit a radiology clinic for a CT scan. This scan measures your bone volume and checks the position of nerves, sinuses and nearby teeth – critical details for safe implant placement. This ensures that during implant placement, there’s no risk of damaging these structures.
There are several types of materials used in bone grafting, including:
- Your own bone (autograft)
- Donated human bone (allograft)
- Animal bone, usually from cows (bovine xenograft)
- Synthetic bone (man-made graft material)
What can I expect during a bone graft?
During your bone grafting procedure, you will be given anaesthesia (general, IV sedation or local) to ensure you’re completely comfortable and relaxed throughout the process. The surgeon will begin by making a small incision in the gum tissue to access the area of the jawbone that requires grafting. Once the area is exposed, the surgeon will carefully prepare the bone site, ensuring it’s clean and ready to accept the graft.
The grafting material is then place into the prepared bone site. In some cases, special proteins may also be applied to promote bone growth and improve the integration of the graft with your natural bone. Once the graft material is securely in place, the surgeon will close the incision with sutures to allow for proper healing.
What does recovery look like for a bone graft?
Although the procedure itself is relatively straightforward, recovery can involve some discomfort. It is common to experience swelling, bruising, and mild pain in the treated area after the procedure. These symptoms are a natural part of the healing process and typically subside within a few days. To manage any discomfort, your surgeon will prescribe pain relief medication and provide guidance on how to care for the surgical site.
While initial recovery may take only a few days, full healing can take several months. During this time, the bone graft will gradually integrate with the surrounding bone, restoring the natural structure and volume of the jaw. The timeline for complete healing depends on factors like the complexity of the graft, the type of material used, and your individual healing process.
Throughout your recovery, your surgeon will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor progress, ensure that the graft is healing properly, and make any necessary adjustments.
What payment options do you offer?
We understand that surgery is a significant investment which is why we offer flexible payment options to help make your treatment more accessible. We offer EFTPOS, major credit cards and Afterpay. Be sure to check your eligibility for rebates and health cover to help manage your health care expenses.
NOTE: For treatments under local anaesthetic, payment is due on the day of your procedure and for treatments involving IV sedation or general anaesthesia, payment is required 7 days before your appointment.
Specific types of dental bone grafting procedures?
- Socket Preservation (Alveolar Ridge Preservation): This is done immediately after a tooth extraction to prevent the jawbone from shrinking. Graft material is placed into the empty socket and covered to preserve the bone for future implant placement.
- Ridge Augmentation: Used to increase the width or height of the jawbone (the alveolar ridge) where it has shrunk. The bone graft is contained within a resorbable or non-resorbable membrane to increase the amount.
- Sinus Lift (Sinus Augmentation): This procedure is specifically for the maxilla. The sinus membrane is gently lifted, and bone graft material is placed beneath it. A closed sinus lift is used for small grafts, and an open sinus lift for larger grafting.
- Block Bone Graft: For larger defects, a solid block of bone (usually autograft) is harvested and secured to the jaw with small screws.
Types of bone grafting procedures and materials?
- Autograft: Your own bone, typically harvested from another part of your jaws where it is not required.
- Allograft: Bone from a human donor that has been highly processed for safety.
- Xenograft: Bone from an animal source, usually bovine (cow) or porcine (pig), which is highly processed for safety.
- Synthetic Grafts (Alloplast): Man-made materials like calcium phosphates or hydroxyapatite, designed to mimic bone and encourage natural bone growth.
