Bone Grafting San Antonio

Missing teeth can lead to jaw bone loss, affecting dental implant placement and facial structure. Dr. Albright in San Antonio offers major bone grafting to repair bone defects caused by extractions, gum disease, or injuries. Bone can be sourced from a tissue bank or the patient’s own jaw, hip, or tibia. Sinus bone grafts are also available. Guided bone regeneration may be used to protect and encourage bone regrowth. These procedures are commonly done in an operating room and may require a hospital stay.

Potential Consequences of Tooth and Jaw bone Loss

  • Problems with remaining teeth, including misalignment, drifting, loosening, and loss
  • Collapsed facial profile
  • Limited lip support
  • Skin wrinkling around the mouth
  • Distortion of other facial features
  • Jaw (TMJ or temporomandibular joint) pain, facial pain, and headaches
  • Difficulty speaking and communicating
  • Inadequate nutrition as a result of the inability to chew properly and painlessly
  • Sinus expansion

Common causes of jaw bone loss requiring bone grafting:

  1. Tooth Extractions: Removing teeth without replacement leads to bone deterioration due to lack of stimulation.

  2. Periodontal Disease: Infections gradually destroy gum support and bone, resulting in tooth loss.

  3. Dentures/Bridgework: Unanchored dentures and bridges can’t stimulate bone, causing resorption and eventual instability.

  4. Trauma: Injury or accidents can halt bone stimulation, leading to bone loss over time.

  5. Misalignment: Teeth misalignment can cause over-eruption and bone deterioration.

  6. Osteomyelitis: Bacterial infection in the jaw bone requires antibiotics and may necessitate bone grafting for restoration.

  7. Tumors: Benign or malignant tumors may require jaw bone removal, necessitating reconstructive bone grafting.

  8. Developmental Deformities: Some syndromes lead to missing facial bones, which can be addressed with bone grafting.

  9. Sinus Deficiencies: Tooth loss in the upper jaw can cause sinus enlargement, affecting dental implant placement. Sinus lift procedures can address this.

What is a bone graft? 

Bone grafting replaces lost jaw bone, often necessary for dental implants. It restores bone quantity and quality, facilitating proper implant placement and improving function and appearance.

Types:

  1. Autogenous Bone Grafts: Uses patient’s own bone for optimal integration but requires a second procedure.
  2. Allogenic Bone: Donor bone framework aids in bone growth but lacks autograft’s properties.
  3. Xenogenic Bone: Non-human bone scaffold for natural bone growth but may take longer than autografts.

Substitutes:

  • Demineralized Bone Matrix (DBM): Extracted growth factors aid in bone regeneration.
  • Graft Composites: Combines materials for enhanced bone growth.
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs): Natural proteins that stimulate bone formation.

Synthetic options eliminate the need for a second procedure but vary in effectiveness. Dr. Albright will determine the best option for each patient.

Are You in Need of Oral & Maxillofacial Treatment?

Dr. Albright will provide you with outstanding care. Contact us to book in San Antonio, TX.

Steven C. Albright, DDS Office Phone Number 210-490-4044 Book Your Appointment