Biocompatible Bone Grafting

Each of the structures in your mouth is interlinked and thus impacts other structures. A strong jawbone, for instance, is imperative to support teeth and gums, and to ensure proper mechanics of the mouth. Because oral structures are interconnected, addressing oral and systemic health issues is essential for maintaining the overall wellness of your mouth and body.

Let’s look at the example of extraction. After tooth extraction, certain treatments should be done to ensure proper healing of the jawbone. If these treatments are not done, bone resorption can occur. Reabsorption involves the jawbone breaking down into elements that the body literally reabsorbs.

If left untreated, the bone around an extraction site will reabsorb, negatively affecting the neighboring teeth, the aesthetics of the face, and proper jaw function. In this example or another event that ends in significant bone degeneration, you may need a dental bone graft to add healthy tissue to your jaw.

What is a Dental Bone Graft?

In dentistry, bone grafting is commonly used to rebuild the jaw so that teeth (and implants) have a solid anchoring spot. If you have soft or shrunken bone tissue in your jaw, a bone graft can replace the lost bone and strengthen weak bone.

For a bone graft, we acquire bone tissue from a tissue bank or use synthetic bone to promote regeneration. In some cases, we may use Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF), which is explained in more detail later in this article.

The bone grafting procedures we use with PRF are sometimes referred to as guided bone regeneration (GBR) or guided tissue regeneration (GTR).

After bone grafting, over time, the natural bone grows and absorbs the graft. As a result, the graft becomes fully integrated into the mandible or skull, volume is added, and the jaw becomes strong and stable.

Benefits of Bone Grafting

• Enhances bone density, form, and strength
• Encourages natural bone growth
• Preserves or restore esthetic facial structure
• Improves support for teeth and implants

Reasons for Dental Bone Grafting

Grafting procedures aim to restore tissues to their strongest, healthiest form following tooth loss, gum disease, or trauma. Bone grafting may be prescribed for:

• Bone Defects or Malformations
• Tooth Sockets after Extraction
• Sinus Lift
• Sinus Perforation
• Jaw Ridge Augmentation
• Grafting (Ridge Split)
• Bony Pockets
• Dental Implants

At the Holistic Dental Center of New Jersey, we suggest regenerative dental grafting to promote an increase in bone density and to encourage bone regeneration, for patients who are good candidates for the surgical procedure.

About Dental Implants and Bone Grafts

Dental implants are preferred to other prosthetics because they restore total comfortable function, without adding stress to other teeth. Many times, patients seeking dental implants have insufficient jawbone density to support an implant. A bone graft will restore solid bone density in the jaw, thus allowing the patient to become a candidate for implants. Dental implants placed in weak bone tissue will ultimately fail.

Dental Bone Grafting Using Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF)

To improve your candidacy for dental implants or to speed the healing of your mouth after tooth extraction, biocompatible PRF bone grafts present an impressive choice.

For PRF, we use the patient’s blood, spun in a centrifuge to create a membrane. This membrane is placed over a bone graft site to stimulate natural tissue growth because it promotes the growth of brand new capillaries. Using PRF, bone grafts heal more quickly and don’t introduce toxins or synthetics to the body.

Depending on the patient’s specific dental needs, PRF may be used several different ways. For example, iPRF, or injectable platelet rich fibrin, is an injectable option. PRF may also be combined with “sticky bone”, or advanced synthetic bone. Whichever treatment option we recommend for you, know that the goal is long-term success. Additional benefits are less post-surgical discomfort and quicker healing.

We also established specific protocols combined with the use of essential vitamins/mineral supplements to increase integration and promote healthy bone. You may also opt for elective IV therapy prior to the graft, to further decrease healing time and minimize discomfort.