Overview

Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for placement of dental implants.

Minor Bone Grafting

The most common bone grafting procedure is done to preserve the height and width of bone when a tooth is extracted in preparation for implant placement. It is very important when removing a tooth in an area of future implant placement to remove it with great care and to maintain most of the bone surrounding the tooth. This is why you want the procedure to be performed by a surgeon experienced not just in removing teeth, but in removing teeth with preservation of the surrounding bone. In addition to extraction with bone preservation, it is important to graft the socket with bone to provide a scaffold for bone growth within the socket which preserves width and height.

Major Bone Grafting

Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease or injuries. Sinus bone grafts are also performed to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw.  These grafting procedures are performed on a frequent basis at East Cobb Oral Surgery. Dr. Brunner & Dr. Lazerson is one of the few surgeons in the [COUNTY] to have been involved in a study of a new protein that grows bone. He has significant experience with this technique and now uses it frequently in his own practice. This avoids the need to take bone from your jaw or hip to rebuild areas of depleted bone.In addition, special membranes may be utilized that dissolve under the gum and protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration.  This is called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.