For a successful implantation procedure adequate bone is the key factor. The upper back region of jaw is one of the difficult areas for implant placement due to the proximity of sinus. Due to the longer periods of missing teeth, bone erodes & adequate bone support required for implant procedure is lost. In such case we opt for sinus lift procedure. In this procedure an incision is made in the region premolar & molars over the gum & a small window is made in the bone. Then sinus membrane is separated from bone & the membrane is slightly pushed upward to create space for bone graft. The amount of bone graft depends up on the bone required for implant placement. The patient is made to wait for 4-6 months & later follows Implantation Procedure.
If the width of jaw is insufficient to support implants bone graft material is added to small ridge or space which is created on top of the jaw. It usually takes four to twelve months for the ridge to be fully healed
It is not unusual for the patient to present for a consultation at the oral surgeon’s office and be informed at some point in the discussion that he or she may require a “bone graft” in order to maximize the outcome of dental implant surgery. While this sounds pretty scary at first, the truth is that bone grafting in the oral cavity today is a routine, predictable and painless procedure.
A bone grafting is the addition of bone, or bone-like material, in an effort to increase the volume of bone in the jaw. Typically,the bone graft is placed and integration is ensured before the implant can be placed.The healing period can vary i.e from 4 to 6 months depending on the type of bone.
There are many types of bone grafts, but they all fall into one of several categories:
- Autograft – bone used from the patient’s own body.
- Allograft – bone from a genetically similar organism
- Xenograft – bone from a genetically dissimilar organism
- Synthetic – a synthetic biocompatible material
The type of bone graft that will be chosen will depend on the situation, and on the amount of bone required.