About Bone Grafting
What is Bone Grafting?
Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies 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.
With bone grafting, we now have the opportunity to not only replace bone where it is missing, but also the ability to promote new bone growth in that location! 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 esthetic appearance.
Types of Bone Grafts
Autogenous Bone Grafts:
Autogenous bone grafts, also known as autografts, are made from your own bone, taken from somewhere else in the body. The bone is typically harvested from the chin, jaw, lower leg bone, hip, or the skull. Autogenous bone grafts are advantageous in that the graft material is live bone, meaning it contains living cellular elements that enhance bone growth.
However, one downside to the autograft is that it requires a second procedure to harvest bone from elsewhere in the body. Depending on your condition, a second procedure may not be in your best interest.
Allogenic Bone:
Allogenic bone, or allograft, is dead bone harvested from a cadaver, then processed using a freeze-dry method to extract the water via a vacuum. Unlike autogenous bone, allogenic bone cannot produce new bone on it’s own. Rather, it serves as a framework or scaffold over which bone from the surrounding bony walls can grow to fill the defect or void.
Xenogenic Bone:
Xenogenic bone is derived from non-living bone of another species, usually a cow. The bone is processed at very high temperatures to avoid the potential for immune rejection and contamination. Like allogenic grafts, xenogenic grafts serve as a framework for bone from the surrounding area to grow and fill the void.
Both allogenic and xenogenic bone grafting are advantageous in that they do not require a second procedure to harvest your own bone, as with autografts. However, because these options lack autograft’s bone-forming properties, bone regeneration may take longer than with autografts, with a less predictable outcome.
Bone Graft Substitutes
As a substitute to using real bone, many synthetic materials are available as a safe and proven alternative, including:
Demineralized Bone Matrix (DBM)/Demineralized Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft (DFDBA):
This product is processed allograft bone, containing collagen, proteins, and growth factors that are extracted from the allograft bone. It is available in the form of powder, putty, chips, or as a gel that can be injected through a syringe.
Graft Composites:
Graft composites consist of other bone graft materials and growth factors to achieve the benefits of a variety of substances. Some combinations may include: collagen/ceramic composite, which closely resembles the composition of natural bone, DBM combined with bone marrow cells, which aid in the growth of new bone, or a collagen/ceramic/autograft composite.
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins:
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are proteins naturally produced in the body that promote and regulate bone formation and healing.
Synthetic materials also have the advantage of not requiring a second procedure to harvest bone, reducing risk and pain. Each bone grafting option has its own risks and benefits. Dr. Cho will determine which type of bone graft material is right for you.
Top Rated Dentists in Carlsbad
Jessica Grimmett2021-09-16I was very impressed with Dr Cho and his staff! Very organized and efficient. Ashleigh is amazing! Totally on top of everything. I had crown lengthening done and the experience was great! No pain at all and Dr Cho walked me through everything so I knew what was happening and what to expect next. Ariel and Dr Cho work great together! They gave me post op instructions verbally and Ashleigh also gave me instructions on paper so I know how to care for the area when I get home. I will definitely refer my friends and family to Dr Cho in the future!
Lafave Silver2021-08-05I am so happy with my results after Dr. Cho performed a gum surgery on me to fix my gummy smile. He made the process fast and painless and made sure to explain everything thoroughly to me. I would definitely recommend visiting his office!
Cyndy Hamasaki2021-02-06As the wife of a retired Dentist, I am fortunately accustomed to excellent dental care. Dr. William Cho and his entire staff exceeded my expectations and exemplify the very best of outstanding periodontal care. Dr. Cho is not only well trained, he strives to care for all his patients with outstanding and diligent skills explaining each step of every periodontal procedure. I recommend Dr. Cho with the highest of accolades possible. Thank you Dr. Cho! Cyndy Hamasaki
Pantelis Vassilakis (acousticslab)2021-02-04Dr. Cho was thorough, quick, clear, and direct in his exam and assessment of our daughter, visiting for a possible labial frenectomy. He has earned our full trust. Highly recommended. The front office is efficient as courteous. The entire operation is a caring, effective, and efficient well-oiled medical machine :-). Congrats!
Kirsten Davis2021-01-21I have been going to Dr. Cho for at least the last 5 years, and I highly recommend him and his practice to everyone I know who's looking for a quality periodontist. After many years of getting the run-around or getting too short "perio quadrant scaling cleanings" from traveling periodontists working with NO oversight from the dental providers they partner with, I finally realized that I needed to find someone with extra expertise and integrity. I feel Dr. Cho has both. I have had regular cleanings, deep cleanings and 1 implant surgery with him. Very happy with his care!
Elmer Catapang2021-01-08Dr. Cho is a very professional and knowledgeable periodontist. I would highly recommend him to anyone.
Diane Hanson2020-12-23Dr. Cho has been with me thru the years. He always is helpful and give great advise as well as referrals. I know I can count on him as I have for over a decade.
JT “Answerman20000” Y2020-12-01Dr. Cho cares about each patient and recommends the right procedure and considers the cost to the patient. His work is thorough and answers all questions asked. He also asks questions to understand why they are visiting his practice and any background before making any recommendation. He made me feel very comfortable and I felt he was the Periodontist for me..
