If you have struggled with periodontal disease and tooth loss over the years, you have most likely lost bone tissue in your upper or lower jaw bone. This can pose a problem if you plan on having dental implants placed since this type of procedure requires dense, healthy bone tissue. The purpose of bone grafts is to boost the volume and density of bone tissue. Bone grafts are commonly placed prior to dental implant treatments or following the extraction of a tooth. Following a tooth extraction, the addition of bone tissue helps to limit tissue loss and resorption.
Types of Bone Grafts
As we alluded to previously, there are a number of dental bone graft materials available. Bone grafts are chosen based on the indication and, in some instances, may be combined in order to achieve the desired result. Your bone graft may include the following:
Autogenous graft
An autogenous graft uses bone harvested from a patient’s own tissue supply. Autogenous tissue may be take from the patient’s own chin, pelvis, or back of the jaw.
Xenograft
Xenograft tissue is derived from a non-human animal source, typically bovine (cow) or porcine (pig). Before a xenograft is placed, the tissue is cleaned, sterilized, and readied for human implantation.
Allograft
Allograft tissue is taken from a human tissue bank. Like xenografts, some patients may be apprehensive about receiving tissue that is not their own. But, it is important to remember that donor tissue is sterile and your own tissue will replace the graft tissue over time.
Synthetic graft
Synthetic bone tissue is becoming an increasingly useful option for bone grafts. Synthetic grafts are usually made from hydroxyapatite, although calcium carbonate may be used if a faster resorbing graft is desirable.
