Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is an incredibly versatile treatment that rebuilds facial bone and is a part of many dental restorations and oral surgery treatment plans. There are a variety of bone and soft tissue grafting techniques available to create a healthy foundation for dental implants, restore aesthetics to the face and mouth, and improve oral health and function.

At Akeso Oral, Facial & Dental Implant Surgery, our sugeons offer many types of bone and soft tissue grafting treatments to rebuild facial structures and improve oral health. Contact us in Columbia, Catonsville, Lutherville, and Westminster, MD, to schedule a consultation and receive your personalized oral surgery treatment plan.

Why Are Bone Grafts Necessary?

Bone loss can occur for many reasons, such as tooth loss, disease, infection, or facial trauma. Bone grafting works by inserting a grafting material where more bone is needed. Then, your body will heal over the graft, resulting in new, healthy bone. This treatment is often used with other oral surgery treatments, such as:

• Preparing the mouth for dental implants
• Socket preservation following tooth extraction
• Repairing facial injuries
• Treating facial deformities and birth defects
• Treating oral pathology
• Improving smile and facial aesthetics

Types of Bone Grafts

There are several types of bone grafts that can be used for oral surgery treatment. During your first visit, your surgeon will determine the right type for your condition. 

• Autogenous bone grafts are harvested from the patient’s own body, typically from the posterior part of the lower jaw or the chin.
• Allograft bone grafts are harvested from cadavers or use a synthetic bone material.
• Xenograft bone grafts are harvested from an animal, typically a cow.

Soft Tissue Grafts

Soft tissue grafts are often necessary to treat gum recession, which can be a result of periodontal disease, facial trauma, poor tooth positioning, or the natural aging process. As the gums recede, tooth roots become exposed, making it uncomfortable to eat hot or cold foods and increasing the risk of tooth decay. Gum recession can also alter the appearance of your smile. The goal of soft tissue grafting is to cover exposed roots, thicken existing gum tissue, improve gum health, and improve the aesthetics of your smile.

Types of Soft Tissue Grafts

There are several types of soft tissue grafts available depending on your oral health needs.

• Free gingival grafts are harvested from the roof of the patient’s own mouth.
• Connective tissue grafts are harvested from a small flap in the mouth and used for larger areas of root exposure.
• Alloderm grafts come from a cadaver.

Bone Grafting & Soft Tissue Grafting Procedure

Bone grafting treatment can take several months to complete because new bone has to form, which takes some time. This is an outpatient procedure and we will provide you with instructions to follow before and after your procedure, as well as medications to manage infection and/or discomfort.

We will take 3D scans of your mouth and face to evaluate the health of your jaw bone, then create your custom treatment plan and walk you through every step. We will also discuss your anesthesia options prior to any type of surgical procedure. As oral and maxillofacial surgeons, we are qualified to administer all types of anesthesia, including local anesthesia, general anesthesia, IV sedation, and laughing gas. 

During the bone grafting procedure, your surgeon will make an incision in the area where new bone is needed and insert the grafting material. Occasionally, we place a synthetic membrane over the graft to prevent soft tissue and bacterial infection and encourage bone growth. Placing a soft tissue graft involves a similar process where your surgeon will harvest the grafting material and place it in the area where soft tissue growth is desired.

To promote faster healing, we offer platelet-rich growth factors (PRGF), which stimulate natural tissue growth. A small sample of blood is taken from the patient and spun in a centrifuge to separate the growth factors. During the procedure, after we have placed the bone graft, we will apply the growth factors directly to the surgical site. This encourages quicker tissue growth and can expedite the healing process.

Sinus Augmentation

The maxillary sinuses are air-filled cavities on both sides of the upper jaw near the premolars and molars. If tooth loss occurs in this area, it can become difficult to place a dental implant due to insufficient jaw bone quantity and close proximity to the sinus.

Sinus augmentation, or sinus lift surgery, makes it easier to place dental implants in the upper jaw by using a bone graft to form new bone along the sinus floor. To perform a sinus augmentation procedure, your oral surgeon will make an incision to access the sinus, lift the sinus membrane, and insert the grafting material. Once the graft heals, there will be enough healthy bone in the upper jaw to support a dental implant.

Bone Grafting in Columbia, Catonsville, Lutherville, and Westminster, MD

At Akeso Oral, Facial & Dental Implant Surgery, we offer a variety of bone and soft tissue grafting treatments to improve your oral health and restore confidence to your smile. Contact our practice today to schedule a consultation with our oral surgeons. We have offices in Columbia, Catonsville, Lutherville, and Westminster, MD, and will design a custom treatment plan to fit your needs.