Procedures
Bone Grafting
Bone Grafting Overview
For a brief narrated overview of the bone grafting process, please click the image below. It will launch our flash educational mini module in a separate window that may answer some of your questions about bone grafting at our offices in Fairfax, Reston, Centreville, Burke and Woodbridge, VA.
Having trouble? Please make sure you have version 7 of the Flash browser plugin in order to correctly view this presentation. This software is available as a free download.
Major and minor bone grafting
Over a period of time, the loss of teeth causes the jawbone to atrophy or reabsorb. This lack of quality or quantity of bone is not suitable for placement of dental implants. However, there are procedures which can augment and restore missing bone in order to place implants.
The bone graft procedures are referred to as the following:
Sinus Lift procedure
This procedure involves elevating the sinus membrane and placing a bone graft onto the sinus floor, allowing implants to be placed.
Ridge Augmentation
In severe cases the ridge has been reabsorbed and a bone graft is placed to increase the ridge height and/or width.
Nerve Repositioning
The inferior aveolar nerve, which gives feeling to the lower lip and chin, may need to be moved in order to make room for placement of dental implants in the lower jaw.
Bone grafting procedures may be performed separately or together, depending upon the needs of each individual. There are several areas of the body from which bone grafts are taken. They can be taken from inside the mouth in the area of the chin, wisdom tooth area of the lower jaw or in the upper jaw behind the last tooth. Patients may select from a variety of anesthesia options for the procedure which can be discussed with the doctor. (Please see Anesthesia Options section.)