Bone Graft (Membrane)

What is a Bone Graft?

One of the most important factors for the success of dental implant treatment is the presence of sufficient bone support in the area to be treated. If there is no bone support with sufficient width and length in the area, implant treatment cannot be successful. For this reason, the first and most important step in patients with bone deficiency and implant treatment is to eliminate the bone deficiency problem.

Bone grafting is often preferred in patients who will undergo dental implant treatment. In case of bone loss in the jawbone, a series of procedures are applied to create bone in the lost area. The bone grafting procedure can be performed using bone tissue taken from the patient's own body, grafts obtained from animal sources or synthetic grafts.

Bone grafting, which is a surgical procedure, should be performed by an experienced and specialized dentist. In cases where the patient's bone tissue is used, graft material is usually taken from under the jaw. A solid structure is created on the jawbone to ensure suitability for implant treatment.

Bone grafting is an effective treatment used to create a suitable jawbone for implant treatment. Thanks to the bone grafting procedure, jawbone deficiency problems of patients who will receive dental implants are eliminated and a healthy and durable foundation is prepared for dental implants.

Who is Bone Grafting Performed?

Bone graft treatment is used to compensate for the loss of jawbone due to various reasons and to create a suitable basis for dental implant treatment. Some conditions that require bone grafting can be listed as follows:

• Long-term tooth loss: It is possible for the jawbone to weaken in the area where teeth are lost due to various reasons and where there is a long-term lack of teeth. Adding bone to the weakened area with a bone grafting procedure can strengthen the jawbone.
• Jawbone deficiency: The jawbone may be deficient due to congenital structural problems, genetic factors or trauma-related deficiencies. In this case, a bone grafting procedure can be used to strengthen the jawbone.
• Periodontal diseases: Damage to the gums and surrounding tissues may occur due to periodontal diseases. In case of bone loss in the jawbone, bone grafting can be applied to compensate for these losses.
• Incorrect prosthesis use: Loss of jawbone may occur due to toothlessness or the use of inappropriate prostheses. As a result of treating these losses with bone graft, it may be possible to provide a suitable environment for implant treatment.
• Conditions due to genetic factors: People with weak jawbone structure due to genetic reasons can be treated with bone graft treatment to strengthen the jawbone.
• Accidents or traumatic events: Damage to the jawbone can occur due to accidents, injuries or traumatic events. Bone grafting can be applied to correct the damaged area.

Some of the advantages of bone grafting treatment are as follows:

• Missing or damaged bone tissue can be repaired and reconstructed with bone grafting.
• It can provide the bone tissue needed to place dental implants.
• It can correct bone loss and defnrmity.
• It helps to improve oral and dental health.
• It can play an important role in the process of restoring functional loss.

What are the Types of Dental Bone Graft?

The types of dental bone graft are determined depending on the needs and general health status of the patient. Dental bone graft types are as listed below:

Autogenous grafts: Highly compatible autogenic grafts are made by taking tissue from the patient's own body.

Isogen grafts: Isolated grafts, in which tissue compatibility is extremely important, are applied by taking similar tissues from another living being.

Allogenic grafts: Allogeneic grafts, which are usually obtained from banks, include donor tissues with different genetic structures from the same species.

Xegonic grafts: They are usually of animal origin and are tissues taken from different species.

The types of dental bone graft listed above are used to eliminate the loss of jaw bone and to provide suitability for implant treatment.

Is Dental Bone Grafting a Painful Treatment?

Dental bone grafting usually causes minimal pain and discomfort. On the other hand, the pain felt during dental bone grafting treatment may vary depending on the pain threshold, sensitivity to the surgical intervention and the application site.

Dental bone grafting is a procedure usually performed under local anesthesia. The application site is numbed with local anesthesia, which prevents pain during the operation. Patients may experience mild to moderate discomfort after the procedure. Post-procedure discomfort may vary depending on the complexity of the operation, the type of dental bone graft used and the general health of the patient.

Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by dentists can be used to reduce pain and discomfort after the procedure. In this way, the comfort of the healing process can be optimized.

The recovery time after dental bone graft treatment may vary depending on the patient-specific structural features and the type of dental bone graft used. Pain and discomfort usually decrease within a few days, and the healing process progresses smoothly.

How Is Tooth Bone Grafting Performed?

• The first step of the dental bone graft treatment is to evaluate the general health status of the patient and to determine the deficiencies in the jawbone.
• Local anesthesia is applied to the patient.
• The appropriate graft material is selected and placed in the area with bone deficiency.
• After the graft, which is used to support and strengthen the jawbone, is fixed, sutures are applied and the procedure is completed.
• Bone graft treatment is usually performed under local anesthesia. Sedation may be applied if deemed necessary for the patient.
• The duration of the bone grafting procedure may vary depending on the type of graft used and the complexity of the procedure.

How Long Does Tooth Bone Graft Healing Take?

The healing process of a dental bone graft can vary depending on the patient's general health condition, the graft material used, how well the patient follows the dentist's recommendations after the procedure and various other factors. Mild pain, swelling and bleeding may occur in the first 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure. The patient's comfort can be optimized during this period with the regular use of medications prescribed by the dentist.

Within a few weeks to a few months after the dental bone graft procedure, the process of integration of the graft material into the jawbone begins. A period of several months is needed to ensure long-term healing. Once this process is complete, a dental implant can be applied.

During the healing process after bone graft treatment, the treatment area should be kept clean and necessary oral care should not be neglected. Failure to pay due attention to oral hygiene after the procedure may lead to infection and various dental problems. During the first few days following the bone graft treatment, soft foods should be consumed and very hot drinks should be avoided.

It is recommended to sleep with the head elevated for the first 3 days to prevent blood accumulation at the incision site. The desired bone density in the bone grafted area is usually reached within 3 months after the procedure. During this period, it should not be disrupted to go to the controls requested by the dentist.

How do bone grafts work?

Bone grafts are used to replace or regenerate missing bone tissue on the jawbone or gums. Bone grafts work in various ways to stimulate bone regeneration.

• When bone graft material is placed in the area of bone deficiency, it stimulates new bone formation in the area. The graft material combines with the surrounding living tissues and promotes the formation of new bone tissue.
• Bone grafts often act as a skeleton to replace missing bone tissue. They can be used in procedures such as implant placement or as a supportive material to prevent bone loss after tooth extraction.
• Bone grafts encourage bone cells to settle and multiply in the missing area. This depends on the graft material being compatible with the surrounding living tissues and the bone cells being able to easily settle into the graft material.
• Bone grafts can trigger bone regeneration and accelerate the body's natural healing process. The graft material interacts with surrounding cells and can stimulate inflammatory responses and tissue regeneration.
• Bone grafts can help to increase the volume and density of missing bone tissue. This can compensate for bone loss in the jawbone or gums. Structures such as implants and dentures can then be placed on a more solid foundation.