Bone Grafting, Larry Benge, Gum Lift, Porcelain Veneers, Missing Teeth

A bone graft is a surgical procedure that replaces missing bone with material from the patient's own body (autogenous bone) or an artificial, synthetic, or natural substitute. The graft not only replaces missing bone, but also helps your body to regrow its own lost bone. This new bone growth strengthens the grafted area by forming a bridge between your existing bone and the graft material. Over time your own newly formed bone will replace much of the grafted material.

A bone graft procedure prior to implant placement is needed if there is insufficient bone and a bony defect is present in the jaw.

Examples of jawbone defects are:

Defects which occur following tooth extraction
Generalized decrease in quantity of jawbone from trauma or long-term tooth loss
Defects surrounding dental implants
Defects resulting from cysts or tumor surgery
Defects following a tooth extraction

Treatment

Bone grafting procedures can either be performed under local anaesthetic in the dental surgery or in a hospital environment. Once the bony defect is free of inflamed and infected tissue the bone grafting material is placed in to the area to replace missing bone and regenerate the growth of new bone. The bone graft may be covered over with a membrane barrier to protect the site, encourage the growth of new bone and prevent the formation of fibrous scar tissue. Over time the bony defect will be reduced as newly formed bone replaces the bone graft.