When is jaw bone augmentation necessary, and how does it work?

The implantation of new teeth is the most effective, state-of-the-art method of tooth replacement. Patients can acquire new teeth that look like natural teeth and are almost as strong. However, even this method cannot be effective if the jawbones are not suitable to host the artificial roots. In this case, dental experts apply jaw bone augmentation procedures.

This article offers an overview of the following topics:

• When is jaw bone augmentation necessary?
• What happens if we postpone bone graft?
• Methods applied and materials used for jaw bone augmentation
• Types of bone graft
• Acquire the service cheaper at our clinic
• How to get a quote from our clinics

The condition of the jaw bone is crucial in dental implantation . The implant may only be implanted into bones that have adequate height and width. These bones are able to accept, hold and carry the artificial root. In certain cases, the jaw bones need treatment before the implantation. We are now going to discuss these cases, and list the different jaw bone augmentation procedures.

When is jaw bone augmentation necessary?

There are several reasons behind bone loss and atrophy. The most common ones are accidents, dental extraction or other reasons of tooth loss

.In the case of tooth loss on the maxilla, the sinus is “pushing” downwards, in the direction of the oral cavity. This is one of the typical cases when a so-called sinus lift – and at the same time, the replacement of the missing bone – is necessary. Bone augmentation may also be necessary when the jawbones are not wide enough to hold the implant.

There might be several further reasons for the reduction in bone material. For instance, an accident fracturing part of the jaw bone, far gone gum diseases or bone atrophy caused by other diseases can all be responsible. The size of the sinus increases with age, and its osseous wall becomes thinner, so at a later age, bone augmentation could be more frequently necessary before the insertion of the implants.

What happens if we postpone bone graft?

It is recommended that the augmentation of the artificial roots is carried out at or around the same time when the patient loses their natural teeth. In most cases, a sufficient amount of bone is still available in this period. This ideal condition, however, becomes gradually worse in time. In the place of the missing tooth, the pressure on the jaw bone disappears, resulting in bone atrophy, and the thinning of the bone. After a longer period of time, the jaw bone becomes too thin to hold an implant, because of the potential danger that the artificial root’s edge damages the sinus.

Methods applied and materials used for jaw bone augmentation

The most common augmentation method usually involves a sinus lift. The dental surgeon lifts the soft tissues on the sinus base and fills this space with bone graft material. This way they can lift the upper jaw bone which is then able to accept the implant. There are two ways to perform this procedure:

In case of a closed sinus lift, the sinus base is accessed through tiny drill-holes from the place of the missing tooth. The bone graft material is placed in the empty space after lifting the soft tissues.

This procedure allows for a lower extent of sinus lifting than the open method. In the latter case, the dental surgeon accesses the jaw bone by opening the gums . He then makes a window-shaped incision on the gum.

Through this, he can access the sinus base and insert the bone graft material. The extent of the sinus lift carried out by this method may be more significant.

Recovery time after jaw bone augmentation is three to nine months. This is the time the bone graft material needs to solidify and to unite with the existing bone. The duration may depend on:

• the types of materials used
• the specific condition of the patient
• the condition of the immune system

Types of bone graft

There are a great number of materials that are adequate for this procedure, so it is better to classify them by their origin. We distinguish the following bone graft materials:

• Autogenous bone substitute
• Allograft bone substitute
• Xenograft bone substitute
• Alloplastic bone substitute

We are now going to list these materials and explain their production as well as their influence on jaw bone augmentation.

Autogenous grafting

Bone chips required for augmentation are obtained from the patient’s own bone tissues. In most cases, surgeons harvest the bone material from the area of the hips. The main advantage of the autogenous procedure is that an implant rejection is unlikely. It means that the body will accept easily the bone substance implanted in it. Its disadvantage is that the patient has to undergo two surgeries. One intervention is necessary for obtaining the bone material, and a second one for the insertion of this material into the jaw bone.

Allografting

Allograft bone is bone material coming from a different donor other than the patient. This is available from “bone banks”, just like blood is available from “blood banks”. Bone material is harvested from human bone released during the process of hip replacement surgeries. This material is cleaned, sterilized, and inspected. Then it is reformed into material that is applied, amongst several other uses, in jaw bone augmentation. Besides the autogenous bone, this is the most ideal material as there is less risk of rejection. However, the healing and the ossification period may take longer than in the case of the autogenous bone.

This solution is the best for patients who:

• would like to avoid having two surgeries
• dislike the idea of bones of animal origin
• dislike the implantation of fully synthetic materials

Xenografting

During Xenografting, the surgeon harvests bone from bones of animal origin, usually from cow tissue. Some patients have a strong dislike against such materials, even though the method involves no risk. Animal bone tissues go through careful inspection, cleansing and sterilization multiple times.  The bone graft material is only harvested after this process.

Alloplastic grafting

Alloplastic bone materials made from calcium phosphate imitate natural bone tissues very well. Also, they are safe for the human body. Their great advantage is that they are available in the sufficient quantity. Thus, they make the use of animal or human donors unnecessary for the jaw bone augmentation procedure. With the use of alloplastic bone materials, we can exclude human or animal infection completely. However, their great disadvantage is that the human body might be more likely to reject them.

Acquire the service cheaper at our clinic

Jaw bone augmentation costs 30-40% less in our Hungarian clinics than the price in your home country. We carry out the implantation for only half the average price. The following comparative tables illustrate it well:
Price comparison of jaw bone augmentation

Price comparison of implants (In Hungary, laboratory and medical fees are included in the price)

How to get a quote from our clinics

Our clinics, Vitalcenter Clinic in the elite district of Budapest, Sopron Dental Clinic near the Austrian border and Dental Vienna Clinic in Vienna look forward to welcoming you with their services. We are happy to assist our patients from abroad with significantly lower prices, a complex clinical environment and well-trained teams of experts.