What is bone grafting?

Bone grafting is a procedure we offer to replace lost bone tissue. This may be required when the bone deteriorates after tooth loss in order to place a dental implant. Many other conditions may also lead to bone loss and necessitate a bone graft. In addition to replacing missing jawbone, a bone graft also helps to promote new bone growth in that location.

What types of bone grafts are available?

Dr. Daniel Cannon, our experienced oral surgeon, offers various types of bone grafts. These include:

• Autogenous bone grafts – Also called autografts, autogenous bone grafts are created from your own bone that is taken from another part of the body. Bone for the graft is typically taken from the chin, lower leg bone, hip, jaw or skull. Autografts contain living cellular elements that enhance bone growth. One downside to autogenous bone grafts, however, is that a second procedure is required to harvest bone from elsewhere in the body.
• Allogenic bone grafts – Sometimes called an allograft, an allogenic bone graft uses dead bone taken from a cadaver that is freeze dried via a vacuum to extract the water. Unlike autogenous bone grafts, allogenic grafts cannot produce new bone and only serves as a framework over which bone from the surrounding areas can grow.
• Xenogenic bone grafts – Xenogenic bone is derived from non-living bone of another species (often a cow). The bone tissue is processed at very high temperatures to avoid potential immune rejection and contamination. Like an allogenic bone graft, the xenogenic bone serves as a scaffold for bone from the surrounding areas to grow into.

Allogenic and xenogenic bone grafts do not require a second procedure to harvest bone from your own body, but the disadvantage is that these options lack autografts’ bone-forming properties. Dr. Cannon will help you determine which type of bone graft is best for your specific needs.

Are bone graft substitutes available?

Several synthetic materials are available as safe and proven alternatives to real bone. These substitutes include:

• Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) – BMPs are naturally produced proteins in the body that help to promote and regulate bone growth and healing.
• Demineralized bone matrix (DBM)/Demineralized Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft (DFDBA) – This is processed allograft bone that contains collagen, growth factors and proteins that are extracted from the allograft bone. DBMs or DFDBAs are available in the form of putty, powder, chips, or injectable gels.
• Graft composites – A graft composite is created from other bone graft materials and growth factors to include the benefits of a variety of substances. Some combinations for a graft composite may include collagen/ceramic composite, DBM with bone marrow cells, or a collagen/ceramic/autograft composite.

For more information about bone grafting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we invite you to contact Cannon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery today at 918-743-1351.