Facebook
Dental EducationOral & Maxillofacial SurgeryRoyal Dental Clinics

How many types of bone grafting are there?

Bone_Grafting_Process

A graft is an artificial or natural piece of bone that is inserted into a patient’s body in order to correct a deficiency of bone. Various types of bone grafts can be used for multiple different reasons, but they are most commonly used after surgical extraction or dental implants. Tooth extraction creates a significant challenge for your oral healthcare professional because there is no longer any root structure to support the surrounding teeth. In other words, the extraction removes everything that was holding up those teeth and supporting the bone around them. As a result, many dentists will recommend at least one session with a specialist known as an oral surgeon who has advanced training in this area.

An oral surgeon will often use various different techniques and materials to create space for implants and allow the new bone formation to begin. The main two types of bone grafts are autografts and allografts, with each having its own distinct benefits depending on your individual circumstances.

Types of bone grafting are given below

What is an autograft?

An autograft is a type of graft in which a surgeon harvests a small piece of bone from another part of the patient’s body and then implants it where it is needed. The most common place for an autograft is the jaw, where the gum and bone tissue interface. In this instance, the surgeon will remove a small section of the gum tissue and then replace it immediately with a graft.

tooth enamel structure
Tooth Structure

Autografts are usually harvested from the patient’s jaw but they can also come from the patient’s rib or hip. Your dentist or oral surgeon will likely recommend this option if you have a very small amount of gum tissue that needs to be replaced. Autografts can take up to a year to fully heal, making them a suitable choice for an immediate procedure.

What is an allograft?

An allograft is a type of graft in which a surgeon harvests a piece of bone from a cadaver and then implants it where it is needed. Allografts are the most common type of grafts used for dental procedures, but they come with greater risks than autografts. Allografts come from deceased donors, so there is no risk of disease transmission between the donor and the recipient.

Like autografts, allografts can come from the patient’s hip or rib, but they are most frequently harvested from the patient’s iliac crest. Allografts consist of two parts: the bone itself and a membrane that surrounds it. The membrane is designed to prevent the body from rejecting the graft. But this added protection also means that it can take up to a year for the graft to heal.

What is a xenograft?

Sometimes our doctors, or their patients, choose a xenograft bone graft when preparing for dental implants. This type of bone graft is taken from an animal – usually a cow or pig. And is processed so that much of what is left is made up of mineral components. Xenografts add amazing support to the site of the implants, and as the mouth and jaw heal over time, the body replaces the xenograft with new bone.

Bone grafts in sinus
osteoporosis

What is a bone matrix graft?

A bone matrix graft is a synthetic material that is designed to simulate the structure and function of real bone. It is typically used to fill in areas where there is a lack of natural bone. This type of graft is most commonly used in the mouth, where it can be implanted to cover exposed roots and promote the growth of new gum tissue.

The bone matrix graft is made from synthetic materials that are chemically and biologically similar to real one. The most common example is the hydroxyapatite graft. Although this is a synthetic graft, it is frequently referred to as a bone matrix graft.

What is a synthetic graft?

A synthetic graft is a man-made material that is designed to simulate the structure and function of real bone. This type of graft is most commonly used in the mouth. Where it can be implanted to fill in areas where there is a lack of natural bone and support dental implants. The synthetic bone graft can be hydrogel or hydroxyapatite.

Bone grafts
Bone Grafts

The hydrogel graft is made from a synthetic material that is designed to be biologically inert. In other words, it doesn’t promote the growth of new tissue like a bone matrix graft does. The hydrogel bone graft is frequently used to fill in areas where there is a lack of natural bone.

What is a periodontal membrane graft?

A periodontal membrane graft is a type of bone graft in which a surgeon harvests a membrane from the patient’s gums and then implants it where it is needed. Although this type of graft is less common. It is necessary for some situations, particularly when there is a significant amount of bone loss. The membrane is designed to promote the growth of new gum tissue. Allowing the surrounding teeth to be supported by the patient’s own bone. The membrane is usually harvested from the patient’s gums near the extraction site.​

Role of bone grafting

Grafting has been employed for many years by orthopedic surgeons to assist with the process of bone repair, and is used across all subspecialties within orthopedics. The complications of traumatic injuries such as delayed union, nonunion, and malunion will often require the use of bone grafts.

Aside from trauma, bone grafts are used to fill osseous defects caused by tumors or as a result of periprosthetic osteolysis. Many forms of bone graft are available, but they are classified into three broad categories. Autogenous bone, allograft, and bone graft substitutes.

Bone grafts differ in terms of their properties of osteoconduction, osteoinduction, osteogenesis, and structural support. As a result, in order to identify the ideal graft. Surgeons should have an understanding of the requirements of the clinical situation and of the specific properties of the different types of grafts.

What are the risks of bone grafting?

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clot
  • Nerve damage
  • Complications from anesthesia
  • Infection from the donated bone (very rare) 

There is also a risk that your bone might not heal well even with your bone graft. Many of your specific risks will vary according to the exact reason for your bone graft. These reasons include whether or not you are using donor tissue, your other medical conditions, and your age. For example, your bone graft might not be as likely to heal well if you smoke or if you have diabetes. Talk with your healthcare provider about all your concerns, including the risks that most apply to you.

Suggested Article –

Follow Us For More Updates

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *