Dental Implants vs. Bridges
New Bone Grafting Techniques
A new procedure has been devised that makes bone grafting a safer and less invasive procedure. Through the use of cloning technology to replicate human morphogenetic proteins, it is now possible to grow new bone in sinus augmentation and alveolar ridge augmentation procedures in a new and effective way.
If you need a bone grafting procedure, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Madison by calling (310)553-2940.
As an alternative to the traditional method of using bone chips or blocks harvested from healthy bone elsewhere in the body (typically taken from the jaw bone), this new method requires implanting the BMPs (bone morphogenetic proteins) via a membrane, directly onto the bone.
This FDA approved implant greatly alleviates the degree of discomfort patients typically experience in bone grafting procedures, due to the fact that a second surgery to harvest healthy bone is no longer required. The recovery process is typically shorter and results are better than what we've experienced with the traditional procedure.
The implant itself consists of two primary elements: an artificially made version of a protein that's commonly found in the human body, and a native carrier for the delivery of said protein. The protein is rhBMP-2 (recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2) in a pure, freeze-dried powder form. This protein is natural to all human and animal species that have bone tissue. It is typically found in the body is small amounts and its purpose is to stimulate bone growth. It is implanted by an oral surgeon to an area where bone mass and density need to be increased, as in an augmentation proceedure.
Consequently, it is now possible to grow bone in compromised cases (where a surgeon could not operate in previous cases), as well as to eliminate the second surgery that is required to harvest healthy bone tissue.
You may be a candidate for this treatment if:
You require a bone graft as part of a sinus augmentation procedure.
A localized alveolar ridge augmentation has been recommended as a result of tooth removal.
However, this treatment will not be appropriate if:
You are hyper-sensitive to bovine (cow) Type I collagen or recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2.
You had a tumor removed from the area where the surgery is to take place.
You are pregnant, suspect pregnancy or are planning to become pregnant.
You have an infection near the incision area.
Be sure to ask your dentist for further clarification as well as an assessment of your candidacy for this treatment.
If you need bone grafting, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Madison by calling (310)553-2940.
If you have any other questions or comments regarding this article, please contact us at (310) 553-2940 or by email at periodontics@earthlink.net.
Dr. Miles Madison, D.D.S., is an award-winning periodontist in Beverly Hills, California.
