Bone Grafting
Bone tissue has the unique ability to regenerate completely if provided the space in which to grow. Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that provides a scaffolding to regenerate missing bone. As native bone grows, it will generally replace the graft material completely, resulting in a fully integrated region of new bone. Allograft bone is material that was taken from an organ donor and processed to ensure its safety and improve the handling characteristics. The advantages of allograft bone are that it is readily available and does not require a second surgical site. The bone undergoes proprietary processing procedures that have been demonstrated to produce a consistently safe and effective product. Bone grafting can be used to augment the site of a missing tooth or deficient ridge either in preparation or conjunction with dental implant placement. It can also be used to correct defects in the bony support around teeth created by gum disease or trauma. A barrier membrane is often placed over the bone grafting particles to protect the graft during the healing phase and prevent the in-growth of faster growing epithelium and connective tissue into the treated site.