What is Implant Surgery?
Implant surgery is a procedure where artificial tooth roots, called dental implants, are placed into the jawbone. These implants are usually made of titanium and help anchor a new tooth or set of teeth. The implants bond with the bone over a period of 3-6 months, a process known as osseointegration.
After this, permanent teeth can be attached to the implants. These teeth can be made from materials like metal-ceramic or all-ceramic for a natural look. Implants can support fixed teeth or removable dentures. The clinic uses implants from leading brands like Straumann and Nobel Biocare.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure where new bone material is added to an area of the jawbone that is not strong or large enough to support a dental implant. This procedure is often needed when a patient has lost bone due to injury, disease, or long-term tooth loss. The graft material can come from the patient’s own body, a donor, or synthetic sources. Over time, the graft integrates with the existing bone, helping to rebuild and strengthen the jaw. Once the bone has healed, dental implants can be placed successfully.
At Drs Demajo Dental Clinic, bone grafting may be required during periodontal and implant therapy and range in type from inlay particulate grafts to onlay block grafts. There are several types of bone grafting materials which may be used namely autograft, allograft and xenografts. An autograft is the gold-standard utilising the patients’ own bone from the surgical site or from another site in the mouth or body. Common grafting sites include the maxillary tuberosity, the chin, as well as the third molar area.
The grafting materials used can vary, including:
- Allograft (human cadaver bone)
- Xenograft (bovine or porcine bone)
- Mineral substitutes
- Autograft (the patient’s own bone)
- In some cases, a collagen membrane or titanium mesh may be used to stabilise the graft during healing. Larger grafts may also require titanium pins, which are removed once healing is complete.
There are different types of bone grafting, from simple additions for minor defects to more complex reconstructions of the jawbone. The materials used in grafting range from bovine bone (Xenografts) by Geistlich Biomaterials to large blocks of human bone (Allograft). Autograft (patient’s own bone) is considered the gold standard, but studies show new biomaterials can provide similar results.
Grafting procedures may involve placing loose bone granules stabilised by a biodegradable membrane or larger bone blocks secured with screws. In some cases, the screws are biodegradable, but others may need to be removed in a second procedure. After the grafting, it typically takes 4-6 months for healing before implants can be placed.
Sinus Lift Grafting / Elevation
A sinus lift is a procedure that adds bone to the upper jaw, specifically in the area of the maxillary sinus, to provide a solid base for dental implants.
There are three main types of sinus lift techniques:
Summer’s Technique: Bone is placed through the future implant site, and a small part of the sinus floor is raised to make space for the bone. This technique is less invasive and is often done at the same time as implant placement.
Balloon Technique: A balloon is inserted into the sinus and inflated to gently lift the sinus floor, creating more space for bone. This can be done with or without placing an implant at the same time.
Lateral Window Technique: A small window is made in the side of the upper jaw to directly access the sinus. The sinus floor is raised, and bone is added. This method is used for replacing missing back teeth, like molars. Depending on the bone available, implants may be placed during the same procedure or later, after the bone has healed.
Healing time usually takes around 6 months before the final teeth can be placed. This procedure ensures enough bone is present for a successful implant.
