Maxillofacial Bone Grafting Procedure - Specialist Oral Surgeons

Bone Grafting

When we lose our teeth, the alveolar bone holding the teeth will begin to resorb. To prevent this phenomenon, we sometimes graft teeth sockets with bone materials immediately upon removal of the tooth. The purpose for bone preservation techniques is to prepare the jaw bone for the reception of dental implants. For the areas of the jaw where the teeth had been lost for many years, more complex bone grafting techniques will need to be employed.

The assessment of bone volume and shape will involve a CT scan of the jaw. From the CT scan, we will be able to assess the exact shape and amount of bone at the areas of interest. We can then plan the type of bone grafting techniques suitable for the case.

Types of bone graft materials:

Autogenous bone grafts – taken from the patients’ own jaw
Homologous bone grafts – from donor sources
Xenografts – from other species e.g bovine sources
Synthetic grafts – chemically created artificial materials

We will be able to explore the various options and advice our patients accordingly.

As an oral maxillofacial surgeon, Dr Lim routinely carries out many techniques of bone grafting including autogenous cortico-cancellous bone grafting and sinus lift procedures. Dental surgeons routinely send their implant patients to us for the bone grafting step before placing the implants thereafter.