Miami Lakes residents can make informed decisions about bone grafting procedures if they know what an allograft is. We tell patients that an allograft is bone from another person that has been screened and processed by tissue banks. This is a good option when a patient needs more bone volume for dental implants or oral surgery instead of using their own bone. Allografts are different from other types of bone grafts used in dentistry. Autografts take bone from the patient’s own body, allografts come from people who have donated tissue, xenografts come from animals (usually cows or pigs). We discuss the pros and cons of each with our patients as we help them decide on treatment options.
There are many safety steps taken during the manufacturing of allograft material to ensure the patient is safe and the treatment works. Tissue banks that provide allograft bone have strict guidelines for screening donors (medical history and testing for infectious diseases) and the bone goes through a process that removes cellular parts while keeping the mineral framework needed for bone regeneration to work. This precise processing makes a safe, sterile material that helps new bone grow. Allograft bone is very useful in dental treatments especially when patients need dental implants but don’t have enough bone volume.
The graft material acts as a scaffold that helps the patient’s own bone cells to grow and reproduce. The patient’s natural bone slowly replaces the allograft material over time in a process called remodeling. Allografts also helps maintain the shape and size of the surgical site during the healing process. At Specialty Smiles we use allografts in many situations when we need to add bone to get the best results. Over time tooth extractions can cause bone loss. Placing an allograft can help keep the socket size the same so an implant can be placed in the future. Allografts are often used in ridge augmentation treatments to replace areas where a lot of bone has been lost. Sinus lift procedures often use allograft material to build up enough bone height to place an implant in the back. One of the advantages of choosing allograft over other types of bone grafts is that it doesn’t require a second surgical site to get the patient’s own bone. This means less time in surgery, less pain after surgery and less recovery time.
Also allograft material comes in many shapes and sizes to fit diverse therapeutic needs. We can usually do it all in one visit instead of multiple surgeries. Healing with allograft material usually follows a schedule but there are some things that can change for each person. Most patients see their soft tissue start to heal within the first few weeks after surgery. However it takes many months for the graft material to fully integrate into the patient’s bone since the patient’s own bone cells slowly assimilate it. We monitor this healing process by making regular follow up appointments and taking diagnostic imaging when needed. When the right surgical technique and post-op care is used allograft surgeries have excellent success rates. Good oral hygiene, not smoking and following all post-op instructions are the most important things to do to make the surgery a success.
Also people with medical conditions or on certain medications may heal in different ways. Some patients may need to change their lifestyle to accommodate their bone grafting needs. We answer these questions by discussing the strict safety rules that licensed tissue banks follow and the large body of research that supports the use of allografts in dentistry treatments. We also discuss other options for patients who want to do things differently. After an allograft procedure you need to follow certain instructions to ensure the healing and integration process goes as smooth as possible.
We give you clear instructions on how to change your diet, clean your mouth and limit your activities while you recover. After successful bone grafting some patients may need orthodontic therapy with Braces for Adults to get their teeth in the best position before the implant is placed. We are committed to provide safe and effective allograft surgeries to help people in Miami Lakes achieve their oral health goals through evidence based treatment and thorough patient education.