Bone grafting is an approach in surgical dentistry where surgeons make a pontic bone structure from the synthetic bone donated bone through allografting and autografting methods to support damaged or defective bones of the oral and facial region. The bone graft could also be made from your bone from another body part or an aspirate of the bone marrow. A bone graft may also be attached to two deficient connective bones to relieve pain.
You might need a bone graft to fasten fusion for bones that heal way slower, repair bones that healed abnormally, or fuse bones that did not fuse. Patients suffering from bone diseases, congenital abnormalities, or needing a dental reinforcement or replacement surgery may also benefit from a bone graft.
bone grafting procedure
Diagnostic examinations are essentially used using CT scans, X-rays, and 3D imaging to evaluate the amount of jaw bone. The bone volume and mass help surgeons determine the need for a bone graft procedure and how much of it is needed. During a bone grafting procedure, the surgeon has to use anesthesia to ease pain by blocking the sensation. The surgeon then makes cuts to expose the bone to be grafted. To prepare for the graft, the bone part is then cleaned, and if present, inflamed tissue is removed. The graft is secured using screws or dental concrete, and the incision is stitched.
Conclusion
Bone grafting helps rebuild deficient or abnormal oral bone to ensure resorption and efficient/healthy bone to support the oral structure or prostheses. Bone grafting helps improve facial appearance. Adding bone to malformed bones or that need prostheses installation helps improve overall aesthetic appearance as they enhance facial symmetry. Bone grafting also helps improve general health while reducing the risk of future complications, especially in treating oral gum disease. It is essential to follow home care recommendations from the surgeon to ensure complete and easy healing.