Bone Grafts For Dental Implants In Reigate, Surrey

Socket Preservation Bone Graft & Atraumatic Tooth Extraction

When a tooth needs to be removed and you are considering dental implants as a replacement, the way in which that tooth is extracted makes a significant difference to your future treatment options. At our Reigate clinic, we take great care to remove teeth as gently as possible, using atraumatic techniques that minimise disruption to the surrounding bone and soft tissue, preserving as much of the natural bone architecture as we can for your future implant.

Where appropriate, a Socket Preservation Bone Graft can be carried out at the same appointment as the extraction. Bone graft material is carefully placed into the empty socket immediately after tooth removal, helping to maintain the volume and shape of the bone whilst the site heals in preparation for implant placement.

Guided Bone Regeneration

Guided Bone Regeneration is a straightforward procedure that is performed at the same time as implant placement. Bone graft material is placed around the implant during surgery to build up the surrounding bone, improving the contour at the gum line and providing enhanced long-term structural support for the implant. It is a well-established technique that adds minimal additional time to the implant procedure.

Sinus Grafting

Also known as a Sinus Lift, this procedure addresses a common challenge that can arise when placing implants in the upper back region of the mouth. The maxillary sinuses are hollow cavities located behind the cheeks, sitting just above the roots of the upper back teeth. When these teeth have been absent for an extended period, the sinus floor can gradually drop down into the space previously occupied by the tooth roots. Placing an implant in this situation requires the sinus to be repositioned and held in place using bone graft material. This can be achieved using either an Internal or Lateral Sinus Lift approach, depending on the extent of bone loss present.

Internal Sinus Lift/Bone Graft

When there is still sufficient existing bone to provide initial implant stability, an Internal Sinus Lift can be performed simultaneously with the implant placement. The sinus is accessed through the same site prepared for the implant, avoiding the need for any additional incisions. The sinus membrane is carefully lifted and bone graft material is placed to hold it in its elevated position. This is a minimally invasive, efficient approach that avoids more complex surgical intervention.

Lateral Sinus Lift/ Bone Graft

In cases of more significant bone loss where an Internal Sinus Lift is not suitable, a Lateral Sinus Lift may be required. A small access window is created in the side wall of the sinus (in the area where the upper back teeth previously were) allowing the sinus membrane to be exposed, carefully elevated and packed with bone graft material. Because this procedure involves a greater degree of surgical intervention, a healing period is required before the implant can be placed, allowing the grafted bone to integrate fully.

Ridge Split Bone Grafting

This technique is used when the dental ridge, the bony structure in which teeth are anchored, has become too narrow in width to accommodate an implant of the required size. Provided there is adequate ridge height, the ridge can be carefully divided and expanded, with bone graft material placed within the widened space to create a suitably sized platform for implant placement.

Onlay Cortical Bone Graft

For patients with more severe bone loss, an Onlay Cortical Bone Graft may be the most appropriate solution. This procedure involves harvesting a small block of cortical bone, typically from the chin or the region behind the lower wisdom teeth, which is then secured with small screws to the implant site. Once the grafted bone has fully integrated and the site has healed, the implant can be placed with the solid bone support it requires.

Bone Grafting Materials

There are several bone graft materials available, and the most appropriate option will depend on your individual circumstances. We are able to use bone taken from another site within your own mouth, bone collected during the preparation of the implant site, bone from animal-derived sources, or synthetically produced bone substitutes. Dr Nicholas Goodacre will discuss each of the available options with you clearly, helping you to make a fully informed decision about the approach that is right for you.