What Are
Bone Grafts?

Bone grafts are often necessary before dental implants can be placed.

If you’re suffering from bone loss, your options may be limited because of the lack of viable bone in your mouth. A bone graft can help restore lost volume and density so that you can receive a dental implant without having any issues with its stability or function. If you are interested in learning more about how a dental bone graft could benefit you, contact our office today!

At Ashburton Dental Centre, we offer dental implants as an effective treatment option for our patients who suffer from tooth loss. Our team has extensive experience with all types of dental implant procedures, including bone grafts, which are sometimes required before placing the implant.

This procedure is performed by our highly qualified dentists at Ashburton Dental Centre using advanced technologies and techniques. We have been successfully treating patients since 2015, so if you live nearby, come see us today!

Why Are
Bone Grafts Important

bone graft is usually advised after tooth extraction since the jaw bone might begin to deteriorate if there’s no bone tissue stimulation. Without adequate bone growth, the surrounding teeth might loosen and fall out, resulting in future problems.

A bone graft procedure is required for some patients because their bone mass is insufficient to support the implant, so a bone graft procedure is required for dental implant placement.In the absence of sufficient jaw bone mass, a titanium implant would not be able to attach to the bone firmly.

Ashburton Dental Centre

Why Choose Ashburton Dental Centre for Bone Grafts Procedure

If you’re looking for a dentist in Gosnells, Ashburton Dental Centre is the place to go. We offer everything from general dentistry to cosmetic procedures and orthodontics. Our team of dental professionals are experts at what they do, so you can be sure that your procedure will be done right the first time around. Plus, we always make sure our patients feel comfortable and relaxed during their visit with us.

Ashburton Dental Centre offers advanced treatment for patients who need help rebuilding their smiles after losing their natural teeth. We offer our patients state-of-the-art technology at affordable prices because we believe everyone deserves beautiful smiles. Whether you need a simple cleaning or something more complex like a bone graft procedure done in Gosnells, we have what it takes to get the job done right!

FAQ's About Bone Graft Procedure

Bone grafting is often required for the following conditions:

  • Implant-supported tooth replacement:
    Dental bone grafting is necessary for most patients who have missing teeth replaced with implants. A dental implant is a screw-shaped artificial root surgically placed into the jawbone. An artificial tooth is then placed over the dental implant to look like the other teeth. A bone graft is generally required to build a stable foundation for an implant.

  • You have a missing tooth or gum disease:
    Even if you don’t need dental implant surgery, a dental bone transplant might be required to preserve a part of the bone lost due to tooth loss or gum disease (periodontal). Also, adjacent teeth and gum tissue can deteriorate as a result of bone loss. Bone transplants may be used to prevent additional bone loss and the long-term health concerns that accompany it by stabilising the jaw. Taking the proper steps to treat gum disease is essential to avoid tooth loss and even heart disease.

  • Bone loss:
    Bone transplants support bone development in individuals who are suffering from bone loss. Jawbone deterioration might result in a change in facial structure. When the bone mass is lost, the lower jawbone may be pushed forward. If your lips and muscles are not well-structured, they may alter the way you look. It may cause wrinkles around your jawline. Jaws are more susceptible to bone loss in older individuals. Nevertheless, anybody of any age who has had a jaw injury or has had difficulties with poor oral hygiene or other dental health issues, such as severe infections, may need a dental bone transplant.

A dental bone graft is a minor reconstructive surgery that often doesn’t require the removal of healthy bone tissue from the patient’s body. Nowadays, dentists use synthetic bone graft materials or bone substitutes.

Since you’ll be sedated throughout the treatment, you won’t feel any pain until the anaesthetic wears off. Then, for the next few days, over-the-counter pain medications usually help you endure the discomfort. You may also be given prescription-strength pain medications when necessary. Depending on the procedure done, you may feel some discomfort for a few weeks after surgery.

However, if the bone graft material is from your own body, the recovery is more difficult since surgery will be done in two places, such as your hip bone and jaw bone. The amount of bone removed and then grafted is typically very small, so the discomfort should be brief.

The following are the common types of bone graft materials:

  • Autograft bone graft:
    A bone graft that is autogenous or autologous is when the natural bone tissue from your body is used to build the height of your jaw bone. It may be taken from the back of your jaw bone or hip bone.

  • Allograft bone graft:
    If you are not a candidate for an autograft, your oral surgeon may suggest an allograft. The donor tissue is human bone from somewhere other than the recipient. Generally, a healthy deceased person’s tissue (usually from a bone bank) is used for these types of transplants. The procedure is more affordable and safer than autografting. There is also a low risk of infection with cadaver donor bone.

  • Xenograft bone graft:
    This is quite a unique process, as it involves using natural bones from another species. The most common ones are those made from bovine bone, but sometimes equine bone and coral (calcium carbonate) are used. A non-human bone source reduces the success rate as compared to an autograft or an allograft. Xenografts are not able to stimulate the body’s cells to produce bone. Instead, they serve as a framework for your bone growth. Some of the transplant pieces contribute to bone growth and eventually become your bones.

  • Alloplast bone graft:
    Bone graft substitute materials such as calcium sodium phosphosilicate or calcium phosphate are used. There is no risk of disease transmission when using an artificial bone graft. Additionally, it can heal minor flaws on its own and does not require additional treatment. These do not stimulate the bone cells to generate bone formation, similar to xenografts.

An implant can usually be placed only after the bone graft has completely healed. It is common for the process to take several months since bone healing takes time. Depending on individual circumstances, the healing process may take longer or shorter. 

  • Your dentist will numb the area with a local anaesthetic before performing a bone grafting procedure.
  • They will then make a tiny incision in your gum tissue. The soft tissue will be slightly moved to expose the jaw bone. Before placing the piece of bone, the surgeon will clean and sterilise the region. A membrane is frequently used to cover the bone transplant to increase protection.
  • To close the incision, the gum tissue will be repositioned and sutured.

Although you will probably be back to normal in a week or two, complete dental bone graft healing might take anywhere from three to nine monthssometimes longer. Various factors affect the healing process, including the type of graft used, the graft’s location, and your body’s natural healing ability.

Though surgeons have the experience and expertise to do bone graft surgery, proper aftercare is essential to the procedure’s success. One reason for bone transplant failure is your general health. To keep the bone in place, the gums, teeth, and tissues must be strong. The implant will only be placed after the bone has absorbed the material and become a fully integrated region.

Bone graft infection:

A bone graft’s failure is most likely caused by infection. It is not often seen, but various circumstances cause it.

  • Contaminated and non-sterilised bone grafts
  • Unqualified surgeons or dentists use incorrect surgical techniques.
  • The instruments and field of surgery were contaminated.
  • Unsatisfactory postoperative care

Infection symptoms can appear shortly after a dental bone or other bone graft is placed. Individuals may experience swelling, redness, malaise, dysgeusia, halitosis, fever, pain, or bleeding. 

Exposed bone graft:

Due to gingival recession, the bone graft might protrude from the gums and be exposed. When the blood supply to the grafted tissue is interrupted, it gets damaged. It can be managed by taking antibiotics if it’s caught early. If the situation is severe, additional surgery will be done to remove the bone graft.

Smoking or use of tobacco:

Cigarettes contain nicotine, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide, which can negatively impact bone vascular reconstruction and can jeopardise the healing of the wound. 

Medical condition:

Patients with uncontrolled diabetes may suffer from systemic conditions.

Diabetes can cause complications such as osteopenia and delayed bone healing, which can ultimately cause bone graft failure.

The following factors can also cause bone graft failures:

  • Mistakes made during surgery
  • Immunodeficiency disorders
  • Periodontal disease (gum disease)
  • Osteoporosis

The price varies greatly depending on the bone graft material chosen. It would help if you also considered how your jawbone’s overall health and physical condition would affect treatment costs. The cost of a bone graft is usually about $2,500 to $3,000 on average, so you must know if the surgical procedure is required and if the expense is included in the overall treatment price.

After your surgery, the dentist will probably wrap a gauze dressing around your mouth’s incision. The initial healing process generally takes two weeks. The affected region will be sore and tender. You’ll experience discomfort, swelling, bruising, and the bandages need to be changed often as you may bleed a lot. If you feel some swelling in other parts of your face, such as your cheeks and eyes, apply ice packs to help reduce discomfort and swelling. 

These side effects will subside in a couple of days, and your dentist will prescribe pain medications and antibiotics to alleviate the pain. During the first few days, you may notice tiny bone shards emerging from the wound. It may look like salt or grains of sand, and it doesn’t usually cause an alarm, but consult your dentist to ensure you are recovering as usual.

In addition, avoid drinking hot liquids and eating crunchy or hard foods during the first week after surgery. For a few days, do not participate in rigorous physical activity since the incision might be harmed.

After a week or two, the discomfort in your jaw will fade, and you’ll notice that it’s improving. However, it may take several months for your jaw to be strong enough to receive implants. It is recommended to have frequent checkups with your dentist, including X-rays, to track the progress of your teeth.

Book An Appointment With Our Gosnells Dental Team Today

We're located in the Ashburton Village Shopping Centre next to the Ashburton Primary School. If you have questions about getting the dental care you need, call or book online today!

(08) 9490-8777 Or   Book Online