Is it possible to build up the jawbone?

Indications

  • Extension and widening of the alveolar ridge
  • Elevation of the maxillary sinus floor (sinus lift)
  • Filling of vertically degraded bone due to periodontitis

Methodology

The bone chips extracted from the jawbone or hip are placed on the jaw ridge and fixed with a membrane for better hold. In the one-stage procedure, the implant is inserted at the same time. The healing phase takes 4 – 6 months.

However, the reconstruction can also be carried out in two phases. In this case, the healing of the inserted bone is waited for first and only then the implantation is performed. If bone substitutes are used, the procedure is identical.

Membranes are also used here, and the implantation can take place either simultaneously or in two stages. The healing time is longer with two-step augmentation, and can take up to 9 months or longer. If a sinus lift is necessary, the bone chip or replacement material is positioned between the mucosa of the maxillary sinus floor and the jawbone.

However, the mucous membrane must not be damaged in the process. Bone replacement materials are mainly used to fill large bone pockets, such as those that occur in vertically resorbed bone. Here, the granules are inserted into the cleaned lesion and secured with a membrane.

This method can also be used to preserve teeth that would otherwise have to be removed. The most modern method of obtaining bone replacement is the production of so-called bone chips. This biotechnical procedure extracts bone replacement from cells of the periosteum in the laboratory, which, like the other materials, can be used to regenerate the jawbone.