Bone Grafting Specialist

What are the different types of bone grafts?

There are four types of bone grafts Dr. Zager may use, each defined by the different types of materials used. These are:  

• Autograft: When bone is taken from the patient and transplanted to another part of the mouth or jawbone.The bone is harvested from your hip or a thicker part of your jaw.
• Allograft: Human cadaver bone is used for the graft.
• Xenograft: Cow bone (or similar species) is used for a graft. This type of graft may not be absorbed as quickly into the body.
• Alloplast: When artificial, commercially available bone, such as ceramic materials, are incorporated into the graft. An alloplast is rarely used around dental implants, but it can be used for tumors, cysts, and in place of bone loss following wisdom tooth extractions.

What if I don’t want my own bone used in a graft?

For those patients who, for religious or personal reasons, may opt against using their own bone, an alloplast can be a viable option.

What is the bone graft procedure?

The graft is an office surgical procedure done if the jaw bone is not thick enough or the bone tissue is too soft to support the implant. Often patient needs just a small piece of bone to stabilize the jaw. It will take a few months for the new piece of bone to grow into the existing jaw enough to support an implant.

Almost all these grafting procedures can be done in Dr. Zager’s office. For those who require more extensive grafting, Dr. Zager may use distraction osteogenesis, tentpole screws, and biological membranes, and stem cells to encourage new bone growth. Before doing the bone graft, Dr. Zager will discuss the type of grafts available with you and the risks and benefits of each one.