Bone Graft Meterial

Since dental implants are placed into the jaw bone and held by the jaw bone, there has to be enough of good quality bone.  What happens when there is enough bone?  Many people ask this question.  The answer can be quite simple.  If there isn’t enough, make more bone.  To make more bone at the dental implant site, bone grafting can be done.  In this article, I would like to describe a little about the bone grafting material.

First of all, the patient’s own bone can be used, usually taken from another place in the mouth and grafted onto the site of implant placement.  Patient’s own bone is classified as autogenous bone.  Autogenous bone can be taken from the back area of the mouth or near the chin or other places, usually in either block or particulated forms.  Autogenous bone is considered to be the “gold standard” because it seems to give the most predictable result.

Bone from human donors can also be used.  Donated bone is processed and sterilized for use in various applications.  This type of graft material is classified as allogenic graft.

Bone from other species, such as cows, can also be used.  Animal bone is processed and sterilized, any organic material in the bone is also removed to reduce allergic reaction or other unwanted side effects.  There are several companies producing this type of bone graft material, and these materials have been used successfully for many years without any reports of significant side effects.

Other graft material used include Calcium Tri Phosphates, glass beads (not your regular glass marbles, though) and many others.

What will your dentist use for your case?  Every type of grafting material has its advantages and disadvantages.  Which type is best for you can only be determined by your dentist.