Bone Grafting Rockville, MD

Major & Minor Bone Grafting

Missing teeth over a period of time can cause your jaw bone to atrophy, or resorb. This often results in poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for the placement of dental implants as well as long term shifting of remaining teeth and changes to facial structure. Most patients, in these situations, are not candidates for dental implants.

Fortunately, today we have the ability to grow bone where it is needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, but it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.

Major Bone Grafting

Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease, or injuries. The bone is either obtained from a tissue bank or your own bone is taken from the jaw, hip or tibia (below the knee). Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum to protect the bone graft, as well as encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration, or guided tissue regeneration.

Major bone grafts are typically performed to repair defects of the jaws. These defects may arise as a result of traumatic injuries, tumor surgery, or congenital defects. Large defects are repaired using the patient’s own bone. This bone is harvested from a number of different areas depending on the size needed. The skull (cranium), hip (iliac crest), and lateral knee (tibia), are common donor sites. These procedures are routinely performed in an operating room and require a hospital stay.

Bone Grafting FAQ

Table of Contents

• How painful is a bone graft?
• How long does it take to recover from a bone graft?
• What is the success rate of bone grafts?
• Can your body reject bone graft?
• Does bone grafting last forever?

How painful is a bone graft?

Bone grafting is usually done in conjunction with a dental extraction.

In these cases, the bone graft does not add any pain to the procedure since the majority of the discomfort is from the removal of the tooth itself. Except in extreme circumstances, it is usually a medium soreness for 2-3 days before it slowly wanes away.

If a bone graft is not done in conjunction with extraction the discomfort can vary but is usually mild to medium.

How long does it take to recover from a bone graft?

The discomfort from the procedure subsides within a few days, but usually, the healing underneath (of the bone) can take between 3-6 months.

What is the success rate of bone grafts?

Bone grafts have a 99% success rate when performed in the jaws themselves. When it involves the sinus area, the success rate is slightly lower.

Can your body reject bone graft?

It is possible, though extremely rare, that your body could reject a bone graft.

This is most commonly seen when there is a large infection of the tooth/jaw. Since all bone graft material utilized by Modern Oral & Facial Surgery has been irradiated, there are no living cells, bacteria, or viruses in the grafts.

Does bone grafting last forever?

Not quite!

If not used, bone grafting typically lasts 6-12 months, and then it starts to deteriorate. If the bone graft is “loaded”, meaning that it has a purpose (supporting an implant, a natural tooth, etc.), then it will last as long as it is needed