We recover bone structure, restoring your oral health.
With the loss or extraction of a tooth, gradually, the rest of the tissues of the mouth need to adapt to the new situation. The same happens with the dentition that corresponded in the bite with the lost tooth: it does not find a counterpart in chewing, so its function is diluted. In response, we may suffer further tooth loss and the tissues involved begin a process of retraction. This happens with the alveolar bone, which supports the teeth. It is disappearing from the area it previously occupied. This structure is vital to re-house the new dentition, in this case, artificial. That is why our bone reconstruction department in dental clinics in Barcelona and Ibiza strives to restore the lost bone section.
In which cases is bone reconstruction necessary?
To restore health to our smile, it is essential to have teeth that perform the basic daily functions of chewing or speaking. Also for aesthetic reasons and because, as we noted, once a tooth is lost, it is common for more to fall out over time. The most advisable option for oral health and to keep all the tissues of the mouth in place is the placement of an implant. But the implant needs bone to support it. For patients who have already suffered a severe retraction of the alveolar bone, it is necessary to initiate a process of bone reconstruction such as the one we perform in our centers in Barcelona and Ibiza. In this way we guarantee the placement and durability of the implants for many years, giving back to the bone its health, structure and raison d’être.
How to recover the lost bone?
There are different ways to place the implants. The implantologist and our bone reconstruction team in Barcelona and Ibiza will advise you on the available options depending on your case. When there is insufficient bone, we will generally offer two possibilities:
- Zygomatic bone implant. Zygomatic dental implants are attached to the body of the zygomatic bone. This is a faster type of functional rehabilitation than bone grafting. These implants allow us to place the dental prosthesis – the teeth – in less than 24 hours. It is indicated for patients who cannot wait six months for titanium dental implants and dental crowns or caps. Nobel Biocare zygomatic implants are used in these cases.
- Implants with bone graft. Bone grafting can be performed to regenerate the required portion of the upper jaw. Depending on the amount of bone we need to regenerate, we also have different options. If we need less than 3 cubic centimeters, we obtain it from the same patient or from animal origin. In the case of needing more volume, it is obtained from the patient’s iliac crest with an intervention that requires general anesthesia and an overnight stay in a clinic.
Bone reconstruction techniques
To work on bone reconstruction in our clinics in Barcelona and Ibiza we use several techniques:
- Graft or bone implant. We use it when there is insufficient bone volume in the upper jaw, in the mandible to place titanium dental implants or when we foresee that the crowns are not going to be aesthetically pleasing. This involves placing powdered bone or bone in small blocks to achieve a sufficient, stable and esthetic base for the implant.
- En bloc bone grafting. When the surface area is larger, we resort to this type of technique, generally obtaining the bone from the patient’s own body.
- Elevation of the maxillary sinus. It is also used to solve the lack of bone in the posterior area of the upper jaw (premolars and molars).
Steps to be followed for bone grafting
It is important to remember that, although this procedure may cause patients some discomfort, it only adds 10 to 20 minutes to the overall process. In addition, it is painless and we provide the patient with the necessary medication.
After the diagnosis and with the tests performed since the first visit, we evaluate the amount of bone needed. With the free Dental CT scan, we determine the extent of the injury and how much bone needs to be regenerated.
Then, we extract the bone to be grafted, either from the patient, from a human or animal donor, or artificial bone. The surgeon makes a small incision in the area where bone implantation is needed and places the graft. It is fixed so that it does not move and is covered with a special membrane to prevent the implant from being lost. Finally, a suture is placed to close the area and prevent saliva from affecting the postoperative period.
Subsequent recovery is quite rapid. Depending on the specific needs of the patient and the type of graft, it can take three to four months and up to six months if it is an animal donor.
You can consult us about this and other questions regarding implantology and bone reconstruction in our centers in Barcelona and Ibiza. Ask for an appointment without obligation and we will answer all your questions about our treatments.
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