Bone Grafting

Treatment for Bone Loss

Facial and jaw bone loss can result from various causes, including congenital defects or facial injuries. If you are experiencing such bone loss, bone grafting offers a highly effective solution to repair and restore these areas. Additionally, bone grafting is routinely performed prior to dental implant placement.

At Inland Institute Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our skilled team, led by Dr. Gilbert is dedicated to helping you regain your smile and oral health. We encourage you to reach out to our office in Upland, CA, today to schedule a consultation.

Understanding How a Bone Graft Works

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that involves placing grafting material into areas where additional bone is needed. This material can come from various sources, such as donated human tissue (allografts), animal tissue (xenografts), the patient's own body (autografts), or synthetic materials (alloplastic grafts). Over time, new bone cells will grow and replace the grafting material, resulting in stronger and healthier bone.

Bone grafting is often performed to establish a stable foundation for dental implants, which are artificial tooth roots implanted into the jaw bone to support replacement teeth. In cases where jaw bone density is inadequate, bone grafting enhances the success and longevity of dental implant placement, restoring both oral structure and function effectively.

Types of Bone Grafting Treatments

During your initial consultation, Dr. Gilbert will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your oral health using advanced 3D scans of your mouth and face. These scans enable him to evaluate your facial structures thoroughly, detect any underlying oral health issues, and formulate a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Many patients requiring dental implants may also benefit from a bone graft procedure to enhance future implant support. If a bone graft is necessary, your Dr. Gilbert will discuss the type of grafting treatment required and outline what you can anticipate

Ridge Augmentation

This procedure reconstructs the alveolar ridge, the bony structure supporting the teeth, in preparation for implant placement. By replenishing lost bone due to tooth loss, ridge augmentation ensures a more stable base for subsequent dental implants.

Sinus Lift

When insufficient bone height in the upper jaw impedes dental implant placement, a sinus lift is performed. During this procedure, the sinus membrane is gently lifted, and a bone graft is inserted to establish a robust foundation for dental implants.

Socket Preservation

Following tooth extraction, socket preservation is performed to prevent bone loss and maintain the socket's size and shape. This procedure is essential for future implant procedures as it preserves the surrounding bone structure.

Major Bone Grafting

Large skeletal defects resulting from trauma, congenital conditions, tumor surgery, or diseases may necessitate major bone grafting. In such cases, the patient's own bone can be harvested from donor sites like the skull, knee, or hip. Major bone grafting procedures are conducted under hospital conditions.