Bone Grafting & Sinus Lift in El Cajon, CA
Replacing missing bone or adding to existing bone is very often essential to the success of a dental implant and the ensuing restoration. Loss of bone volume is a result of gum disease, infection or trauma. Bone loss also occurs when teeth are missing.
When there is insufficient bone to surround and anchor the dental implant, bone grafting augments the existing bone in the jaw. It’s also called bone reconstruction since the jaw is being rehabilitated to its ideal state.
We will evaluate the bone integrity and density of your jaw to determine if you’ll need bone grafting. Bone grafting is performed on-site in our facilities. Usually bone grafting can be done at the same time the implant is placed.
Experts in Bone Grafting
How Bone Grafting works
Through advanced grafting techniques we can increase the height of bone and the width of bone. We can even use grafting techniques to prevent the loss of bone in cases where bone would usually be lost, such in the extraction of a tooth.
Bone material is grafted into the jawbone to stimulate the jawbone into making its own new bone. The grafted material resorbs, or shrinks, into the body as the jawbone produces healthy, new bone.
Most bone grafts are minor procedures which can be done under local anesthesia. Usually the bone graft and implant placement can be performed in the same visit. Otherwise, the bone graft is left to heal and then the implant is placed.
What material is used for bone grafting?
Whenever we can use the patient’s own bone for repairs or additions, we will get the best results. Only a very small amount is required and it can come from the patient’s knee, hip, jawbone or skull. It has less shrinkage than any other material.
A cutting-edge development is an artificial bone material that’s made from protein found in animal bone. Other kinds of bone grafting material are cadaver bone and animal bone, usually cow.
We use all types of grafts and combinations of them depending upon a patient’s needs. In selecting which graft to use, our doctors take into account various factors to determine what is best for your situation. Their extensive training in the bone grafting process and many years of experience performing it enables them to evaluate the best grafting solution for each patient.
Socket preservation graft
The socket preservation procedure is used to preserve the maximum amount of bone after tooth extraction in preparation for future implant placement. The socket of the tooth is filled with bone grafting material to help minimize post-extraction bone loss.
Sinus lifts
When there isn’t enough bone in the upper jaw, or the sinuses are too close to the jaw for dental implants to be placed, a sinus lift is performed. To make room for the bone, the sinus membrane has to be moved upward, or “lifted”. Our implant team is very well-trained and experienced in performing sinus lifts.
A sinus lift is a dental surgery that adds bone to your upper jaw and is sometimes called a sinus augmentation. The bone is added between your jaw and the maxillary sinuses, which are on either side of your nose. To make room for the bone, the sinus membrane must be moved upward, or “lifted.”
When is a sinus lift performed?
A sinus lift is necessary when there’s insufficient bone in the upper jaw because of bone loss, or when the sinus has expanded too close to the location the implants are to be placed. The lowering of the sinus is caused by its expansion into the upper jaw area as the jawbone shrinks. Usually this is caused by tooth loss through extraction, trauma or gum disease.
How is the sinus lift performed?
There are various sinus lift techniques. All are centered on augmenting the amount of bone in the area. One common technique our specialists use is to add bone graft material into the lower part of the expanded sinus cavity. The bone graft stimulates the jawbone to regenerate new bone.
Not all patients with a lowered sinus need a sinus lift. Certain types of implants or ways of placing the implant can avoid the necessity of getting one. That’s why we perform a comprehensive evaluation to establish the solution that best fits each individual patient.
