Dental Bone Grafts: Types, Materials and How They Work

A dental bone graft is a key procedure used to increase the density of bone in your jaw. Many things can cause your jaw bone to lose volume, including long-term tooth loss, severe gum disease, traumatic injury or anatomical defects. When you’re missing a tooth, the surrounding bone no longer receives stimulation from chewing so will gradually atrophy.

Oral surgeons and periodontists often place bone grafting materials into areas of bone deficiency to help regenerate the missing bone so they can then place implants, bridges or restore facial structure. So what is a dental bone graft made of? Knowing the different types of materials will help you make confident decisions with your dental professional.

What Are Auto grafts Made Of?

What Is an Auto graft and Where Does the Bone Come From?

An auto graft is natural bone taken from another area of your body. Dentists consider this the gold standard for bone grafting. As it comes from your own body, your own cells, growth factors and minerals are present.

Where Is Bone Taken From for an Auto graft?

Bone is usually taken from an area of your mouth where it is not needed. For example, from your chin, lower jaw or ridge at the back of your mouth. If you require high volumes of bone for a more complex case, your surgeon may take bone from your hip or tibia.

How Does an Auto graft Help New Bone Grow?

As it’s coming from your own body, your own cells are present. Live osteoblasts will migrate to this area to begin building new bone (this is known as osteogenesis) meaning you will have quick healing.

Can Your Body Reject an Auto graft?

As this comes from your own body, there is zero chance of it being rejected.

What Are the Disadvantages of Auto grafts?

The main downside to auto grafts is there will be two sites of surgery. This will cause slight extra healing time and some localized discomfort.

What Are Allografts Made Of?

What Is an Allografts and Where Does the Bone Come From?

An Allografts is human bone tissue that has been taken from carefully screened donors. This is an excellent option if you want to avoid having two surgical sites.

How Is Donor Bone Processed for Allografts?

The bone is taken from well-screened medical bone banks. It will undergo freezing, freeze-drying and chemical sterilization to completely remove all cells, bacteria and viruses.

How Does an Allografts Help New Bone Grow?

The processed bone acts as a scaffold in your jaw. Your own bone cells will migrate to this area and take over the donor bone within several months.

How Are Growth Proteins Exposed in Allografts?

Many allografts are specially processed by surgeons. They are slightly acid washed to expose growth proteins within the bone matrix. These are active molecules encouraging quicker bone formation.

What Are the Benefits of Allografts?

This option provides you with a ready to use volume of bone without needing extra surgery.

What Are Xenografts Made Of?

What Is a Xenografts and Where Does the Bone Come From?

A Xenografts uses processed bone taken from animals, usually cows but can sometimes be pigs. They are very stable and will provide a good long term scaffold for new bone.

How Is Animal Bone Processed for Xenografts?

The bone will be heated to high temperatures and chemically processed to remove all proteins, cells and lipids from the animal bone. Only the calcium will remain.

Why Are Xenografts Used for Long-Term Support?

As xenografts are slow to dissolve you will have a long lasting scaffold. This makes them a great option for holding space during sinus lifts and major ridge rebuilding.

How Is Bovine Bone Similar to Human Bone?

Bovine bone has a very similar micro structure to human bone. This means your vessels and bone cells can easily penetrate and grow.

Are Xenografts Safe for Human Tissue?

Decades of research show that fully processed animal bone matrix will integrate safely with human tissue.

What Are Alloplasts Made Of?

What Is an Alloplasts or Synthetic Bone Graft?

Alloplasts are man-made bone grafts. They are made from safe minerals meaning there is no need for donor tissue.

How Is Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate Used in Synthetic Bone Grafts?

Chemists create synthetic bone grafts using beta-tricalcium phosphate (\beta-TCP). This will dissolve naturally as your body replaces it with real bone.

What Is Hydroxyapatite Used for in Bone Grafts?

Hydroxyapatite is a synthetic graft that will mimic the exact mineral content of natural human teeth and bones. This will provide a long lasting scaffold.

What Is Bio-active Glass in Synthetic Bone Grafts?

Advanced alloplasts contain tiny particles of bio-active glass. These contain silica, calcium and sodium. When placed in your jaw, they will bond to your soft tissue and bone. They will also release minerals to encourage new bone growth.

Are Synthetic Bone Grafts Free From Human or Animal Disease Transmission?

Synthetic materials cannot transmit any disease from animals or humans meaning they are a great option if you have personal, religious or medical reasons.

What Are Composite Dental Bone Graft Materials?

Why Do Dentists Combine Different Bone Graft Materials?

Many modern periodontists and oral surgeons will use a combination of grafts to utilize the benefits of each.

Which Bone Graft Materials Can Be Combined?

Many surgeons will use fast healing materials such as auto grafts/allografts alongside slow dissolving xenografts. This will allow quick cell growth but the scaffold will last.

How Do PRF and PRP Help With Bone Grafting?

Many clinicians will add Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) or Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) to the bone graft. This is a small amount of your own blood which is concentrated to release growth factors to encourage quick healing of soft tissues and bone.

How Does Combining Materials Benefit Your Bone Graft?

Combining materials allows your surgical team to customize the density, dissolution rate and activity of your bone graft to suit your jaw and medical history.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Surgeon About Dental Bone Grafts?

• Ask your surgeon what type of bone graft would be the best option for your jaw.

• Would you like an auto graft, Allografts, Xenografts or synthetic graft?

• Will you be using any growth factors such as Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF)?

• How long will it take for your bone to fully integrate?

• Follow all your aftercare instructions to ensure your graft isn’t contaminated or put under pressure.

What Are the Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bone Grafts?

Are Dental Bone Grafts Safe?

Yes! They are very safe and predictable. Human and animal donor bone will be processed at licensed medical bone banks. This ensures all cells are removed using strict sterilization processes. Synthetic options are also available with no risk of cross contamination.

How Long Does a Dental Bone Graft Take to Heal?

Surface healing of your soft tissues will take between 1-2 weeks. However, full integration of your bone will take between 3-6 months. During this time, your body will replace or fuse with the bone graft. Once this has occurred, your dentist can safely place your dental implant.

Will My Body Absorb the Bone Graft?

In most cases yes! Your body will slowly absorb the bone and replace it with new bone. This is known as remodeling. Your bone cells will slowly break down the scaffold material and replace it with your own fresh live jaw bone.

Will My Body Reject the Bone Graft?

It is extremely rare for your body to reject the bone graft. As the donor bone has been processed, there are no live cells present so your immune system won’t recognize it. Usually, failure of the graft will occur due to infection, pressure or poor blood supply.

Knowing what a dental bone graft is made of will help take away any fears you have. Whatever type of bone graft your surgeon recommends, auto grafts, allografts, xenografts or alloplasts, they will all provide a proven way to increase the density of your jaw bone. Having a strong base will help protect your facial structure. Book a consultation with a qualified periodontist or oral surgeon to find out what is the best bone graft for your smile.