Patient Services

Bone Grafting

Major and minor bone grafting

Over a period of time, the jawbone associated with missing teeth atrophies or is reabsorbed. This happens either as a result of the disease by which the teeth were lost or from going for a long period of time without replacing missing teeth. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for placement of dental implants. In these situations, bone grafting of some kind is needed to rebuild the bone necessary to hold the implants.

We now have the ability to grow bone where needed. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and esthetic appearance. Today, there is a broad selection of bone grafting techniques at our disposal and Dr. Brousell is well trained to both select the best type and graft and then to properly perform the graft.

Some of the current treatments available to rebuild your bone structure are:

Sinus floor lift procedure:

This treatment involves elevating the sinus membrane and placing the bone graft onto the sinus floor, allowing implants to be placed in the back part of the upper jaw. Dr. Brousell has been successfully performing this treatment since 1987. Results are relatively painless, predictable and provide bone for patients who have been told by other less trained surgeons that they are not candidates for implants because "they don’t have enough bone."

Ridge-augmentation:

In some cases, the bony ridge has been lost and a bone graft is placed to increase the ridge height and/or width. This is done now with your own bone that is harvested usually from elsewhere in your mouth. Need for large quantities of bone make necessary the graft harvest from other parts of the body. This is avoided when possible, but when necessary provides the optimum in bone reconstruction.

Nerve- repositioning:

The inferior alveolar 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 to the lower jaw.

Bone Graft Substitutes:

The latest technology involves the use of materials that stimulate and conduct bone production by the patient’s own cells. This is now routine and commonly used for minor bone reconstructions.

These procedures may be performed separately or together, depending upon the individual's condition. There are several areas of the body that are suitable for harvesting bone grafts. In the maxillofacial region, bone grafts can be taken from inside the mouth, in the area of the chin or third molar region or in the upper jaw behind the last tooth. In more extensive situations, a greater quantity of bone can be attained from the hip or the outer aspect of the tibia at the knee.

These surgeries are performed either in the office surgical suite under I.V. sedation or general anesthesia or in the hospital Surgicenter.