What Are Dental Bone Grafts and Do I Need Them?
Solution for bone loss in the jawbone
Bone Loss in the Jawbone
If you’ve heard dental bone grafts mentioned in conversation, or read that they can be required for dental implants to hold, then this will tell you everything you need to know.
Many people who wish to have dental implants also suffer from bone loss. This makes it difficult for dental implants to bond with your jawbone – a process called Osseointegration.
So by grafting bone to the desired implant site, and after enough healing time has been allowed, implants become an option again for the patient.
There are pros and cons to having dental bone grafts for your implants, and costs and recovery time to consider. Here we will answer the most common questions to make the decision-making process easier for you.
Bone Grafting Surgery in Singapore
What are dental bone grafts?
Dental bone grafting is a technique that adds bone, and therefore structural support, to your jaw. This allows dental implants to be fixed in place; where without the grafts there would not be enough bone to support the implant.
The end goal is getting your dental implants fixed securely and comfortably. But there is recovery time required in between the graft procedure and the implants being placed. So this is something to be undertaken in two stages; first the bone graft procedure, followed by the adding of your dental implants after several months of healing.
Restoring the jawbone through grafting can do more than just support new implants. It can also restore shape and contour to your face, should that be required.
While we know it can be frustrating to wait for those much longed-for implants that will restore your smile, it is worth taking the time to heal fully. This is an investment in your well being, after all.
When are dental bone grafts needed?
If you wish to have dental implants but do not have enough density in your jawbone to support them, then bone grafts could be your solution.
Your dentist can use a CT scan to determine your bone height, shape and density. This is how we will evaluate whether you have experienced enough bone loss to require a grafting procedure.
There are several scenarios that can lead to bone loss, where a bone graft can help. These are the most common reasons for bone loss:
- Gum (periodontal) disease
- Osteoporosis
- Gingivitis
- Cancer
- Traumatic facial injury
Singapore has a high prevalence of periodontal disease. In fact, a recent study from National Dental Research Institute of Singapore (NDRIS) confirms that 31% of residents over 60 years old are without teeth.
Whatever the cause of your bone loss, if there is not enough bone naturally occurring in your jaw to support dental implants, then dental bone grafts may be the solution.
Having well fitting implants is a much more permanent solution than a dental bridge or dentures. If well looked after, your implants may last you a lifetime. This makes having bone grafts to accommodate implants a popular choice for many people.
Procedure Type and Healing Time
The bone grafting procedure you undergo may take anything from just fifteen minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the type of bone graft you are receiving. There are a few different bone grafting techniques available, depending on your needs.
Socket graft
The most minor procure used is known as a socket graft. This is typically carried out right after the old tooth has been extracted. The graft is added to the extraction site to prevent the further bone loss that patients typically experience after an extraction.
If a tooth is extracted and the site is left to heal without a new implant or bone graft added at the time, then the natural healing process causes some of the surrounding jawbone to reabsorb. This resorption is a natural part of the healing process.
But as the socket graft procedure closes the extraction site and assists the healing process, the surrounding bone tissue is preserved. Healing takes around four months, after which you can proceed to your implant procedure.
Block bone graft
If you had an extraction, or experienced tooth loss by other means and were left with a gap, then you will have lost some bone in that area. A block bone graft may then be a good option for you.
As the name suggests, a block bone graft involves creating a block of bone to be implanted, shaped to fit the gap in your jawbone. This specially shaped block will be fixed in place with titanium screws. This gives you a solid site for your future dental implants.
Healing from a block bone graft typically takes around 5 months, after which you should be ready for your dental implants.
If the gap in your jawbone that needs to be filled is an irregular shape, then there is another approach that may be more suitable. A mix of bone substitute material, which is softer than a block of bone, can be used to fill the gap.
The grafted material will be covered with a protective membrane to help it heal. This particular procedure also encourages more natural bone growth in the area
Sinus lift
As dental implants have become more popular, so have sinus lifts (also called sinus augmentation). Put simply, they are a technique we can use to help patients with bone loss in their upper jaw.
The sinuses are empty air filled cavities located either side of your nose. The bone in this area tends to be thinner than other parts of your jaw. Some people naturally have sinuses that are just too close together.
Although you might not have heard of this procedure, it’s not uncommon for a sinus lift to be needed with a bone graft to prepare for upper jaw dental implants.
A sinus lift elevates the sinus floor. This creates more space for bone grafts to be inserted, resulting in a strong base for your future implants.
The procedure can be done under a choice of anaesthetic options; local or general anaesthesia, intravenous sedation or nitrous oxide (gas) sedation. Each has pros and cons, which you can discuss with your dentist.
With all procedures, there is an initial recovery period of a few weeks. During this time you will want to eat softer food while your graft settles and any swelling subsides. After the first few weeks, you will be feeling normal, but will still have some months to wait before proceeding to dental implant surgery.
While bone grafting techniques are quite advanced these days, it is worth noting that not all of them are fully successful on the first attempt. Depending on how well you heal, you may need further grafting before a dental implant can be fixed.
Where do the bone grafts come from?
Just as there are different types of grafting procedures, there are different sources of bone graft material too.
The bone graft sources can be:
- Autograft – This is your own bone, often transplanted from the iliac crest of your hip
- Allograft – Bone from a donor, possibly a cadaver
- Xenograft – Bone from an animal donor, often bovine
- Alloplast – A synthetic graft material that contains natural minerals
If you go with the autograft option, this typically has the highest success rate, as it is your own bone. The downside is that you will have a second surgical site where the bone graft has been taken from. You may have some pain after the procedure, but the recovery will be short.
Some people find the idea of an allograft taken from a cadaver a little strange at first. But rest assured this is sourced from a bone bank where it has been extensively sterilized and processed.
Bovine or other animal xenograft materials are also thoroughly processed for safety and turned into a calcified matrix. When grafted in, this provides support to your jaw and helps your own bone to regrow.
Common alloplastic materials are calcium phosphate based ceramics such as hydroxyapatite or tricalcium phosphate. As these are bioactive they remodel naturally and support regrowth of the natural bone too. Being synthetic also eliminates any possibility of disease transmission.
All of these graft material options are widely used in Singapore. Your dentist will be able to advise you on which is most appropriate for your individual needs.
How much do dental bone grafts cost in Singapore?
Referring to the order of graft sources in the list above can give you an insight into the likely costs. At the top of the list, an allograft procedure is the most costly. This is because the procedure involves first removing your own bone graft material from your hip.
Although this is usually the most expensive route, it can pay off in success rate and recovery time. Using bone that is your own usually has the best outcome.
Then at the bottom of the list, the synthetic alloplast grafts are the least costly to obtain.
In Singapore, dental graft costs begin around $800 for the smaller procedures with the alloplast graft material. Higher end procedures with autografting may cost the patient up to $2000. Then at the top end of the scale, surgery involving a sinus lift with bone grafting can cost up to $3500.
This is all exclusive of the final goal of getting dental implants put in. Dental implants are a separate cost.
In summary
As you can see, having a bone graft to support dental implants is neither a quick nor a cheap solution. Rather, it is an investment in yourself, your future dental health and your overall appearance.
If you decide to go down this route, then be prepared to spend several months healing in between your bone graft and your implants. But know that in the long run you have a more permanent solution than dentures.
Dental implants that are well looked after can last you a lifetime. And the restorative benefits of dental bone grafting not only help your teeth, but support your facial profile too. While this may be a big undertaking, it can be really worthwhile for your dental health, confidence, and overall appearance.
You can regain your smile, and feel secure that your solution is permanent and safe. While some people opt for classic dentures instead, these are not permanent, and can cause friction against your gums. That friction can lead to infection overtime. Implants don’t move, and so cause no irritation or infection.
So, What’s Next?
If you would like to discuss dental bone grafting as a potential option for you, then we are on hand to answer your questions.
Choosing dental bone grafts and subsequent dental implants is a big decision.
We like our patients to be well informed before then make any big decisions on their treatment pathway, so please do get in touch for some expert advice.
At the end of the day, we believe that the right dentist for you is the one who will lay out all your treatment options on the table. This allows you to make informed decisions, while ensuring that your entire treatment process is as enjoyable, comfortable and as hassle-free as possible. Good communication between you and your dentist is the best way to ensure a smooth and successful treatment.
To find out more about your options, contact us via our support hotline on 9007 1085, email us at enquiry@nofrillsdental.com or message us using the contact form on this page.
In addition, please only proceed with the treatment if you are fully comfortable with the treatment plan proposed by your provider.
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Our Dental Clinics
We are conveniently located at these locations:
NoFrills Dental @ Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard
Suntec City (North Wing)
#03-317
Singapore 038983
NoFrills Dental @ Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard,
Marina Square,
#B1-11
Singapore 039594
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