Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is a treatment that uses transplanted bone from another source to repair or rebuild damaged bones. Bone can be transplanted from the patient (autograft), a corpse (allograft), or synthetic bone.

When is a bone graft needed?

A bone graft can be considered If bones do not heal properly. Unhealed bones may occur or result in the following ways:

• Delayed union: When bone healing, or fusion, takes longer than predicted.
• Bones that recover in an irregular position are known as malunions.
• Nonunion: When there is no bone fusion.
• Osteonecrosis and malignancy of the bones.
• Infection of the bones, or osteomyelitis.
• Anomalies that occur at birth, such as unequal limbs or a tiny chin.
• Before obtaining a tooth implant when the jaw must be reinforced, or a dental bone transplant.
• Joint replacement surgery may necessitate bone development in order to anchor an artificial joint.
• Fusion of the spine.
• Trauma, such as severe fractures that rupture bones.

Here’s what to expect during bone grafting surgery:

• Anesthesia is administered to momentarily inhibit sensation.
• The surgeon makes an incision in the skin to gain access to the bone that needs to be grafted.
• To prepare the bone for the graft, the surgeon cleans it and removes unhealthy tissue.
• The graft is placed and fixed in place using various surgical procedures, which may include the use of hardware such as plates or screws.
• The wound is closed with stitches by the surgeon.

How long does it take to perform a bone graft procedure?

The length of the procedure is determined by the complexity of the case and the size of the bone that must be harvested or repaired. The majority of bone graft operations take between 1-2 hours.

What are the benefits of a bone graft?

The advantages can vary depending on the grafting process

Autograft procedure:

• There is no risk of disease transmission.
• Infection is unlikely.
• The presence of bone-growing cells in the graft raises the likelihood of effective bone healing.

Allograft procedure:

• No additional surgery is required to harvest bone tissue.
• Because bone tissue has been sterilized, there is a low danger of disease transmission.
• It takes no tissue from other bones.

Artificial bone graft procedure:

• Germ-free, sterile.
• It is available in infinite amounts, allowing it to mend vast areas of bone.
• There are numerous solutions available, making it easier to meet a wide range of medical demands.

Contact Wilmot Family Dentistry to learn more:

Together, we can choose the solution that best suits your grafting needs and medical history. After healing, your bone graft will be functional for years to come.