Synonym
Jawbone augmentation
Introduction
The so-called jawbone augmentation (technical term: jawbone augmentation) serves primarily to restore lost bone substance. An intact and break-proof jaw bone is essential for the chewing process as well as for the entire facial aesthetics. Bone loss in the area of the chewing organ can have serious consequences, because in the worst case, perfectly healthy teeth can lose their anchorage and fall out. In addition, extensive bone loss can lead to visible deformations of the face and severe functional loss of the jaw.
Causes of a jawbone regression
There can be several reasons for the decline of the bony jaw. In a large number of cases, the bone loss is caused by inflammatory processes in the oral cavity. Irregular or simply incorrect oral hygiene forms the basis of these inflammations.
Plaque deposits on the tooth surface that have not been removed can, after some time, penetrate below the gumline and attack the tissue located there. The first consequence is the formation of deep gum pockets in which bacteria can settle and multiply. In these areas a so-called gingivitis (lat.
Gingivitis) usually develops first. Gingivitis, on the other hand, can spread to other parts of the periodontium, especially to the jawbone, and cause enormous damage if not treated. Dentists refer to this type of disease as periodontal inflammation (lat.
Parodontitis). If no suitable therapy is carried out in this stage either, in almost all cases an inflammation-related decline of the jawbone follows. Other causes of bone recession can be removable dentures, which exert strong pressure on the jaw. Even after the removal of destroyed teeth, the jawbone usually reacts by reducing the bone substance. However, this bone regression is far less pronounced than the reduction caused by pressure and/or inflammatory processes.
Materials for a jawbone reconstruction
A jawbone reconstruction can be considered for a variety of reasons. On the one hand, this procedure can be used to restore the aesthetics of the face, on the other hand, a planned implantation can make a jawbone reconstruction necessary. The reason for this is that implants can generally only be placed in intact bone.
If teeth are lost in the course of acute bone recession, the underlying cause must therefore be treated first. This is followed by a jawbone reconstruction. The actual implant can be inserted approximately four to six months after the jawbone reconstruction.
Various bone replacement materials can be used to build up the bone. So-called alloplastic bone (artificial bone replacement material) usually comes from a human donor or from cattle. This material is completely degraded by the organism within a few months after insertion and replaced by the body’s own bone material.
Autologous bone is bone material from the patient himself, which has to be taken from another site in advance. The most common sites for harvesting are the ascending part of the lower jaw, the jaw angle, the chin and the iliac crest. The advantage of using this bone material is the reduced risk of rejection reactions.
The disadvantage is the fact that inflammatory processes and/or wound healing disorders can occur in the area of the donor site. In addition, so-called “bone chips” can be used to build up the jawbone. These are biotechnologically produced bone substances that are implanted into the patient.
