Bone Grafting in San Francisco, CA
Creating a foundation for your restorative treatments.
Why Do You Need Bone Grafting?
Dr. Pasquinelli and Dr. Olivares have undergone advanced training in bone grafting. This specialist surgical treatment can play a vital role in both periodontics and dental implants. At SF Perio & Implants, we offer a variety of bone grafting options and make sure you are educated on what is right for you.
When a tooth is missing, it can lead to poor quality or quantity of bone suitable for an implant. By taking a section of bone from elsewhere, your dentist can replace or replenish missing bine. Bone grafting works two-fold; not only does it allow us to replace missing bone but it also promotes new bone growth.
Bone is either obtained from a tissue bank of your own bones such as the jaw, hip, sinus, or below the knee. Alternatively, your surgeon may recommend taking bone from a donor. This bone is then placed on the jaw to repair defects. Once the bone structure is replenished, restorative dentistry can take place.
Types of Bone Grafts
Dead bone harvested from a donor is known as allogenic or allograft bone grafting. The process uses a freeze-dry method to extract the water via a vacuum. The bone then serves as a framework, so the bone from the bony walls can grow to fill the flaw or void.
Synthetic materials are sometimes used as a safe substitute for real bone. These materials have proven to be very effective. Take a look at our options below.
Created from processed allograft bone, this option contains proteins, collagen, and other growth factors. It can be used in multiple forms such as putty, powder, chips, or an injection gel.
Graft composites are made up of a variety of bone graft materials including collagen and ceramic composite, DBM combined with bone marrow cells, or collagen, ceramic, and autograft composite. These composites resemble natural bone and aid with growth.
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are proteins naturally produced in the body that promote and regulate bone formation and healing.
Jaw Bone Health
Missing one or multiple teeth can result in the loss of jaw bone due to lack of use. The jaw bone begins to deteriorate because the body believes it is no longer required. This can lead to additional issues where the missing tooth used to be.
Here are some of the more the common causes of jaw bone loss or deterioration:
Here are the problems which can result:
Dr. Olivares is an excellent periodontist. She took the time to do a thorough exam and talk with me about what was going on.
Sarah N. (Actual Patient)
Ridge Augmentation
The bone that protects your tooth roots is called the alveolar ridge. Occasionally, when a tooth is removed the empty socket heals and becomes filled with tissue and bone. If the socket breaks down then it will deteriorate, which is not a huge issue medically. However, the socket’s height and width need to be in place for dental implants. This is when a ridge augmentation is used.
A ridge augmentation places bone graft material in the tooth’s socket and is covered by gum tissue. Sometimes, Dr. Pasquinelli and Dr. Olivares use a space-maintaining product to help make space for bone growth.
Sinus Augmentation
During a sinus augmentation, your skilled San Francisco dentists cut a small opening into the bone and push up the membrane lining. The space is then filled with grafting material and the incision is stitched up.
After the healing process, which can be a number of months, your bone becomes part of the jaw. This allows for restorative care such as dental implants to be inserted due to the stabilized sinus bone.
Socket Preservation
When a tooth is removed due to infection or trauma, the socket may also be damaged and could cause deformities in the jaw. This can lead to the surrounding bone and gums shrinking or receding, which can result in defects and even the collapse of your cheeks or lips.
Socket preservation is ideal to prevent these issues. This treatment allows our specialists to fill the socket with bone or a substitute. The gum is then covered with an artificial membrane or tissue-stimulating proteins that are designed to promote natural repair of the socket. This, in turn, prevents shrinkage and any form of collapse.