Bone Grafting Surgery Agawam, MA & Enfield, CT

When a tooth has been missing for a period of time, the jawbone associated with that tooth begins to atrophy or be reabsorbed. This typically leaves the jawbone in poor strength and not stable enough to withstand a dental implant. But because of advances to the periodontal industry, patients who may not have been ideal candidates for dental implants before can now undergo the procedure. At NobelPerio Periodontal & Implant Specialists, we can help you grow the bone necessary to undergo the procedure. This gives us the opportunity to place your dental implants with the proper length and width, to restore full functionality for eating and speaking, and improve your aesthetic appearance. 

Our bone grafting procedures can repair potential implant sites that have too little bone structure from a variety of sources, including extractions, gum disease, and oral injuries. The bone graft is typically taken from a cadaver or from your own jaw, hip, or tibia. Our facilities also perform sinus bone grafts to replace bone in the posterior upper jaw. In addition to the graft, special membranes can be utilized to protect the bone graft and encourage bone regeneration. This process is called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration.

Major bone graft procedures are most often performed to address defects of the jaw that have resulted from traumatic injuries, tumor surgery, or congenital defects. These large defects will be repaired utilizing your bone, harvested from one of many available sites on the body, depending on the size needed. The skull (cranium), hip (iliac crest), and lateral knee (tibia) are the most common donor sites for major bone graft procedures.

Procedures of this magnitude are performed in an operating room under general anesthesia and typically require a stay in the hospital afterward. 

Guided Bone & Tissue Regeneration

In the past, gum disease was treated by removing the diseased gum tissue and recontouring the uneven bone. Although this method remains an effective way to treat the condition, innovative and advanced procedures now exist to help make the process easier. One such advance is a procedure called guided bone regeneration or guided tissue regeneration. This procedure can stabilize teeth that are threatened by gum disease and prepare the jaw for dental implants.

Once periodontal disease had progressed, pockets of degenerated bone tissue can develop in the jaw. This can lead to a growth of bacteria, as well as the spread of infection. To address this condition, Dr. Ramirez often recommends tissue regeneration. During this surgical procedure, your specialist will thoroughly clean the pockets and install a membrane between them and the soft tissue. Some of the membranes used are bio-absorbable while others require removal at a later date. The goal of the membrane is to cover the pocket so that fast-growing (infected) soft tissue is prevented from growing, and bone (slower-growing) can have the time it needs to regenerate.

The procedure is successful in patients who are committed to following a strict post-operative diet and oral hygiene protocol. During a consultation at NobelPerio, one of our specialists will help determine if this procedure is ideal for you.