Bone Grafting Techniques in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Posted on 6/3/2024 by Surprise Oral & Implant Surgery
Bone grafting is an integral part of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Whether you want dental implants or need reconstructive jaw surgery, you require adequate bone density to undergo these procedures. Bone grafting involves harvesting bone material from your hip or tibia or from a donor to create a graft and surgically placing it on areas with severe bone loss. The graft contains cells that fuse with the existing bone and trigger new bone formation and growth. Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons employ various grafting techniques to prepare patients for surgery. Here are the main bone grafting methods to consider:
Autografts
Autogenous bone grafting entails harvesting bone material from elsewhere in your body before transplanting it to the site, which requires bone regeneration. Extraction sites include the hip, tibia, or pelvis. Your surgeon may also collect bone material from the posterior of the jawbone. Autografts have higher chances of fusion and faster healing.
Allografts
Allogenous bone grafting uses bone material from a third-party donor, typically a cadaver. However, this technique does not trigger new bone formation. It only provides a framework for healthy bone tissue to grow. Harvested bone material must undergo stringent sterilization to ensure the safety of the recipient.
Xenografts
Xenogenous bone grafting is similar to the allograft method. This technique provides a framework to stabilize the new bone structure. The only difference is that the harvested bone material is from another species, such as a cow.
Synthetic Bone Graft
Synthetic bone grafts comprise bone-like materials created in a laboratory from porous substances. They contain proteins and allow for volume augmentation for improved bone mass and density.
Graft Composites
Graft composites combine natural and synthetic materials to create bone grafts. Standard options include bone marrow aspirate and processed allograft, ceramic composite and collagen, and ceramic, collagen, and autograft composite.
Contact Our Practice Today
Bone grafting is a practical option to ensure adequate bone density and volume prior to oral and maxillofacial procedures. Most importantly, it has become safer and more predictable, resulting in improved patient outcomes. Contact our practice today for questions on bone grafting or to schedule a visit.