Bone Grafting in Long Island City
Rebuilding the foundation for a healthier, stronger smile.
What Is Bone Grafting?
If you've been told you need a bone graft before getting a dental implant, you're not alone; it's one of the most common steps in the implant process. When a tooth is lost or extracted, the surrounding jawbone begins to shrink over time without the stimulation of a tooth root to maintain it. A bone graft restores that lost volume, giving the implant a stable foundation to fuse with. At Gantry OMS, Dr. Miller performs bone grafting as part of a comprehensive approach to tooth replacement, using the materials and techniques best suited to your specific situation.
Types of Bone Grafts
Socket Grafting for Ridge Preservation
When teeth are removed, the surrounding bone tends to 'collapse' and thin out over the following months. This can compromise the ability to replace the tooth/teeth in the future. By filling the tooth socket in the jaw with bone graft at the time of extraction, the collapse of the bone is limited, and tooth replacement options are greatly improved.
Ridge Grafting
If teeth have been missing for a long time, the tooth-bearing area of the jawbone is usually very thin. Placing implants, a fixed bridge, or even dentures over this kind of bone can be problematic. By expanding the existing bone and/or layering new bone over it, the thickness can be increased to allow tooth replacement that otherwise wouldn't be possible.
Sinus Lift
Teeth in the back of the upper jaw are usually close to the maxillary sinuses, which are air-filled spaces in the skull at the sides of the nose. If dental implants are planned in this area, the bone height may not be enough to provide the necessary stability. Adding bone at the floor of the sinus increases this height and ensures the implants are fully contained in bone as intended.
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is a naturally occurring protein that signals the body to grow new bone. Rather than transplanting bone material from another source, BMP harnesses the body's own regenerative capacity to fill in bony defects. It's particularly useful for larger defects where traditional graft materials alone may not be sufficient, and it eliminates the need for a donor site. While not the right choice for every case, BMP represents one of the most significant advances in bone regeneration in recent decades.
Have questions? We've got answers.
FAQs
Is bone grafting necessary?
Generally the need for grafting is driven by the end goal. Maintaining bone for future tooth replacement, preventing bone loss on an adjacent tooth, or preventing a contour deformity are all some reasons grafting might be necessary. In cases where there is no plan to replace missing teeth, grafting may not be needed. We'll discuss the specifics of your case at your consultation visit.
Where does the bone graft material come from?
There are several types of bone graft materials available. Based on your individual needs, we'll advise on the most appropriate material for your case:
- Autograft: Bone taken from some other part of your body. Another part of the jaw is most commonly used, although the hip and lower leg are good minimally-invasive options for obtaining larger quantities of bone when needed. While autograft provides the best quality of bone, it does require a second surgical site and procedure to obtain it.
- Allograft: Bone from a tissue bank, provided by a human donor. This is sterilized and processed to bring the risk of disease transmission to nearly zero, although a theoretical risk does still exist. The bone quality is very good, and is a close second to autograft. As no second surgery is required, allograft is usually the graft material of choice in most instances.
- Alloplast: Synthetic material designed to allow natural bone to fill in around it. This is sometimes used when other types of bone are not feasible, practical, or desired. Depending on the application, the quality of bone that results can still be quite good.
- Xenograft: Bone from an animal source, usually bovine (cow) or porcine (pig). This is less frequently used, but has a role for cases where slow incorporation of the graft is desired.
How long does it take it heal?
Healing times vary significantly depending on the type and size of the graft. For single tooth socket grafts, there is generally a few days of minor discomfort, which resolves fully around 7-10 days. Larger grafts may take a few days longer. Maturation of the grafted bone to a point where implants can be placed, however, can take several months, depending on the exact nature of the graft. We'll monitor the healing progress at your follow-up appointments to determine when the graft is ready for the next step.
Can the bone graft be rejected?
Bone grafting actually tends to be a very predictable procedure. While the graft materials are clear of any substances that would trigger an immune reaction, contamination and loss of the graft is a possible, but rare, complication. We'll review aftercare instructions at your visit to minimize this risk. Most patients have no issues when they do their part to keep the graft site clean and protected.
Can I get a bone graft and an implant at the same time?
In some cases, yes. When there is enough initial stability for the implant and the grafted bone is well-supported, both can be placed in the same procedure, saving you a separate surgery and shortening the overall timeline. Whether this approach is appropriate depends on factors like the size and location of the defect, the quality of the remaining bone, and the specifics of your tooth replacement plan. We'll assess your situation at your consultation and recommend the sequencing that gives your implant the best chance of long-term success.