Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is a procedure commonly used in patients who want dental implants but whose current health prohibits them from receiving them. In order for dental implant placement to be successful, patients must have a sufficient amount of jaw bone height and width. If the jaw bone has deteriorated, it most likely will not be able to provide adequate support for the implant restoration. Fortunately, bone grafting procedures can be performed to restore the jaw bone and provide a more solid foundation for implant placement.

We offer a variety of bone grafting procedures at Oral Surgery Hawaii, and if you have been recommended for a bone graft, your treatment will depend on your needs. Whether you need a sinus lift to repair your upper jaw bone or a socket preservation to preserve the site of a missing tooth, we offer the treatment you need. You can hear about our various bone grafting procedures from patients below, who have received bone grafts at our office and want to share their stories!

The surgeons at Oral Surgery Hawaii offer bone grafting procedures at our offices in Honolulu, Aiea, and Kaneohe, HI. When your teeth are missing for an extended length of time, bone loss or atrophy can occur, which can make it impossible to receive dental implants. Bone loss around the teeth can also affect the appearance of your face, but a bone graft can restore lost bone and prepare the jaw for dental implant procedures.

If you need bone grafting, our oral surgeons can perform one or more procedures to restore your jaw and the bony ridge that supports your teeth. Whether you need to make room for dental implants or preserve an empty tooth socket, your oral surgeon will form a treatment plan that produces the best results for your condition.

HOW BONE GRAFTING WORKS

Advances in the field of oral surgery have made bone grafting procedures much simpler, reducing recovery times and improving outcomes for patients. In general, most bone grafting procedures are performed under sedation so that you will feel no pain during the procedure. Bone grafting material will be applied to the area that is lacking in bone. This material consists of tiny granules of bone suspended in an easy-to-apply gel, which is combined with growth factors to make healing faster. The bone material can be taken from your own body or a tissue bank, depending on your needs. At the end of the procedure, your surgical sites will be sutured, and you will be able to rest until your driver takes you home.

TYPES OF BONE GRAFTING

The type of procedure you undergo will depend on your specific needs and goals. Patients receiving dental implants may need a minor graft, whereas patients who experience facial injuries or growth defects may require a more extensive bone grafting procedure. The following are some of the most common bone grafting procedures we offer at Oral Surgery Hawaii:

• Socket Preservation. When a person has a tooth extracted, the bone surrounding the tooth socket can start to recede rapidly once the tooth is no longer stimulating the tooth socket. A socket preservation is a bone graft that can be placed directly into the tooth socket once a tooth is extracted. This preserves your bone structure and ensures that you will be able to receive a dental implant later on.
• Sinus Lift. When patients want to replace their upper back molars with dental implants, sometimes the maxillary sinuses, which lie above the teeth and behind the cheeks on either side of your nose, are too close for safe implant placement. A sinus lift allows your surgeon to place a bone graft between your sinus cavity and the upper teeth, creating space for a secure dental implant.
• Ridge Expansion. If the bony ridge that holds your teeth in place becomes too thin or sparse, implant placement can be impossible. Ridge expansion increases the width and/or height of your alveolar ridge to make room for dental implants.
• Major Bone Grafting. Larger areas of bone may need to be restored because of facial injuries, birth defects, periodontal disease, or other procedures such as facial tumor treatment. Usually for larger bone grafts, your own bone (taken from your jaw, hip, or tibia) will be used to restore the facial bones. A special membrane may also be placed beneath the gums to protect the graft and promote healing.

BONE GRAFTING IN HONOLULU, AIEA, AND KANEOHE, HI

Major grafting procedures are usually performed in a hospital setting, whereas minor bone grafting procedures can be done in our surgical offices. If you are in need of a bone grafting procedure or dental implants, contact us to schedule your consultation at one of our offices in Honolulu, Aiea, and Kaneohe, HI. Your oral surgeon will be happy to discuss your treatment plan in full and answer any questions you have. Thank you for reviewing this information, and we look forward to meeting you.