Tooth Extractions and Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that involves using bone from another area of your body to rebuild or repair bones in your mouth. This type of surgery is often needed when there is not enough bone left in the jaw to support dental implants. Bone grafts can also be used to help improve the results of other types of oral surgery, such as sinus lift surgery.

Over a period of time, the jaw bone 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.

 Bone grafting can repair implant sites with inadequate bone structure due to previous extractions, gum disease or injuries. The bone is obtained from a tissue bank.  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 and protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration. This is called guided bone regeneration.

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

To learn how you might benefit from a dental bone graft procedure, or to make an appointment, please call our office: 207-236-0899

Bone grafting surgery is a fairly simple procedure that can be done in our office. You can expect the following to occur during the bone grafting surgery process:

First, we will numb the area with local anesthesia.

 Then, we will make a small incision in your gums and insert the bone graft material into the jawbone.

 The incision will be closed with stitches and you will be given a recovery plan to follow. 

Most patients report minimal discomfort after the procedure and are able to return to their normal activities within a few days. It is important to follow your recovery plan closely and avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks after surgery.

The maxillary sinuses are behind your cheeks and on top of the upper teeth. Sinuses are like empty rooms that have nothing in them. Some of the roots of the natural upper teeth extend up into the maxillary sinuses. When these upper teeth are removed, there is often just a thin wall of bone separating the maxillary sinus and the mouth. Dental implants need bone to hold them in place. When the sinus wall is very thin, it is impossible to place dental implants in this bone.

There is a solution and it’s called a sinus lift. Dr. Ross enters the sinus from where the upper teeth used to be. The sinus membrane is then lifted upward and donor bone is inserted into the floor of the sinus. Keep in mind that the floor of the sinus is the roof of the upper jaw. After several months of healing, the bone becomes part of the patient’s jaw and dental implants can be inserted and stabilized in this new sinus bone.

The sinus graft makes it possible for many patients to have dental implants when years ago there was no other option other than wearing loose dentures.

If enough bone between the upper jaw ridge and the bottom of the sinus is available to stabilize the implant well, sinus augmentations and implant placement can sometimes be performed as a single procedure. If not enough bone is available, the sinus augmentation will have to be performed first, then the graft will have to mature for several months, depending upon the type of graft material used. Once the graft has matured, the implants can be placed.