Dental Treatment Abroad

What is bone grafting and when can it be used?

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that is used to ensure that the quantity of bone required for dental treatment is sufficient.

Implant treatment requires a sufficient quantity of bone to hold the implant securely. Jaw injuries, loss of teeth or developmental problems can all lead to an unsatisfactory amount of bone, which makes surgical intervention difficult or impossible. Bone grafting is carried out either before or during the implant surgery.

Bone Grafting Procedures

There are several different bone grafting procedures used by Forest&Ray:

• Sinus Grafting - the donor bone is inserted into the floor of the sinus membrane, which is the roof of the mouth. This procedure strengthens the eggshell-thin wall of bone left behind after the upper teeth are removed.
• Block Bone Grafting - a block or plug of bone is removed from one of the patient’s other bones, usually the femur (hip bone) and is then screwed into the area where the implants are to be placed. It takes four to six months for the new bone to integrate with the existing jaw bone.
• Guided Tissue Regeneration – In this procedure, the dentist creates a surgical hole. The soft gum tissue grows quickly over the hole, covering the bone below. A membrane barrier is placed over the surgical hole to prevent unwanted or excessive gum growth. The membrane is later removed by the dentist or absorbed by the body.
• Bone Expansion - the walls of the bone are stretched or widened to accommodate the implant.
• Socket Preservation Grafting - donor bone is inserted into the tooth socket after tooth removal and takes four to six months to completely heal.

Once the jaw has been re-built it takes anywhere between 3 and 12 months before an implant can be fitted.

Bone grafting is advised on by the dentist who will arrange for an X-ray and/or dental CT scan in case of insufficient quantity of bone.

CALL US NOW: +44 (0) 20 8123 3132...