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Bone Grafting


Is Bone Grafting Necessary?

With the tooth in place, the surrounding bone is stimulated with each bite. Extracting the tooth leaves a large area with no bone (extraction socket) and immediately begins the process of resorption.  There is continued loss of bone.  Bone loss continues with time. The rate of loss depends on various factors and is not the same in all individuals.  Some people lose bone much faster than others. Eventually, the bone resorbs to a level where replacement of the missing teeth with dental implants is not possible.


Types of Bone Grafting

Guided Tissue/Bone Regeneration

If a tooth socket is not grafted at the time of extraction, significant atrophy or bone loss may occur. If you desire an implant but there is not enough bone to accommodate it, a guided bone regeneration may be advised. Bone is grafted to the deficient area and covered with a membrane. This membrane will protect the graft while it is healing. Often, biologic bone growth accelerators are used in conjunction to help stimulate the graft and speed up bone growth. This can be done using allograft material, or donor bone, so a second surgical site to harvest bone is not needed. This takes 3-4 months or more to heal before and implant can be placed.

Sinus Lift

A sinus lift is used in the upper back jaw when there is not enough vertical bone for an implant. The graft is placed below the sinus membrane, essentially giving the sinus a “lift”. This is a common procedure performed either before the implant is placed or at the time of placement.

Socket Preservation

A socket preservation graft will prevent resorption of bone after an extraction.   It is designed to preserve the same vertical and horizontal dimension of bone as when the tooth was present. This is performed on the same day as extraction. After the tooth is removed, the fresh socket is filled with bone mineral that acts as a scaffold or “place holder”. Your own native bone will replace the grafted bone in a few months, leaving a ridge more suitable for an implant. This takes 2-3 months to heal before an implant can be placed.

Veneer Grafting

Veneer grafts are used when large amounts of bone are needed to graft a deficient area. These are taken from the patient’s own bone. They are usually harvested from the chin or from the back of the jaw by the wisdom teeth. The veneer graft is secured to the graft site with two mini titanium screws. Allogeneic graft or biologic growth accelerators may be used as well. The screws are removed when the implant is placed. This takes 5-6 months to heal before an implant can be placed.


Types of Bone Graft Material

Autogenous

The patient’s own bone is used as a graft to augment the desired area. This bone is usually taken from jaw. It can be harvested from the chin, or from the area near the wisdom teeth. The advantage to autogenous bone is that it contains the patients own bone cells and proteins. It can provide a scaffold for new bone to grow as well as signal the body to grow bone on its own.

Allogeneic

Allogeneic bone is human bone that is processed and sanitized for use in bone grafting. It is provided by a FDA approved bone bank. This bone works extremely well as a scaffold for your body to use to grow bone. Most of this will be resorbed and replaced by the body’s own native bone.   The majority of bone grafts performed in the office use allogeneic bone.

Xenogeneic

Xenogeneic bone is from a non-human source. Typically either bovine or porcine bone are used. These have been processed and sanitized in an FDA approved process at a national bone bank. Xenogeneic bone is sometimes added to other types of grafting when either a large volume is necessary or a longer lasting scaffold is necessary.

Biologic Bone Growth Accelerators

BMP (Bone Morphogenic Protein)

BMP is the protein that signals your body to create bone. When concentrated, it can be used alone or in addition to any type of bone substitute to regrow bone in even the most severe cases of bone loss. BMP is used mostly in sinus lifts and alveolar cleft grafting, but can be used off label in the upper and lower jaws to regenerate bone predictably.

PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin)

PRF is derived from the patient’s own blood and contains fibrin and stem cells that can be mixed with the bone graft or added on top of a bone graft. PRF increases the quantity of available growth factors to enhance the body’s regeneration of new bone. This procedure is easily performed in the office at the same surgical appointment.

Emdogain

Emdogain is a protein-based gel that is derived from the cells in developing teeth. It is designed to promote predictable regeneration of lost hard and soft tissues around teeth. Dr. Loveless has been using it off-label to predictably salvage implants that have mild to moderate bone loss. Implants that others may deem unsalvageable can often be successfully grafted and stabilized for continued use.

Post-Operative Instructions after Bone Grafting

Oral surgical care in a safe, warm, and caring environment!

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My experience with the ladies and Doctor Loveless was great. I had never been put under by anesthesia before and they made me comfortable and very relaxed. They took care of me from the beginning consultation to leaving minus 4 teeth. Thankfully Dr. Loveless is a younger man so he will hopefully be around to treat my children with the same care, someday.

5 of 5 stars of 167

Very friendly staff. Doctor spent time to explain and answer questions. Easy to make an appointment. Easy to get a recheck. Staff and Doctor made themselves readily available for questions after surgery even during holidays.

Laurie M.
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5 of 5 stars of 167

The Staff was very helpful, Chrissy made my visit wonderful, she made me feel at ease and helped me to not be apprehensive. Dr. Loveless did a great job of extracting my tooth. I would highly recommend him and his staff.

5 of 5 stars of 167

Dr. Loveless and his team were amazing! I was a new patient and called to see if I could get in right away to remove a wisdom tooth. It was an emergency, and they got me in within the hour!! The staff through out my whole experience, from the front desk to the dental assistants, were GREAT!!!! The office was fresh and clean. I highly recommend Dr. Loveless if you’re looking for an oral surgeon.

Raegan M.
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5 of 5 stars of 167

I went to have my wisdom teeth removed and it was the most pleasant experience. The staff and physician were very friendly and immediately put me at ease. The office was beautiful and exceptionally clean and I would definitely recommend their services to anyone and everyone!

Holly P.
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5 of 5 stars of 167

I had a great experience at Archway. I went there to get four wisdom teeth removed. The office was clean. The staff was nice and efficient. Dr. Loveless was warm and the Spotify music was a nice touch. The procedure went through with no problems and I didn’t feel a thing. I received a post op call and great instructions. Overall, the experience exceeded my expectations after you hear all the horror stories regarding wisdom teeth removal.

5 of 5 stars of 167

Great place. Super nice staff and quick procedures. Everyone I know who got surgery done elsewhere was bedridden for a week but I had almost immediate recovery time. Highly recommend this place

Clayton J.
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5 of 5 stars of 167

Dr. Loveless is amazing. I will continue to use and refer people to him.

5 of 5 stars of 167

My father had gone for a root canal the night before and a root fracture was discovered so the tooth could not be saved. We called the next morning to set up an oral surgery appointment and Dr. Loveless was able to accommodate him the same day. The staff explained everything in great detail regarding finances and post operative instructions. Dr. Loveless also discovered another area of concern and removed an additional tooth. This was extremely helpful since my dad is on blood thinners and we really wanted to avoid having to make two trips. Very clean office as well. Will recommend everyone we know to the practice.

5 of 5 stars of 167

“You are an awesome doctor! Also, your assistants were great and made everything so much easier. Thank you for being such a caring doctor.”

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St. Louis Office

Washington Office

St. Louis Office

Office: (314) 328-5995

Address:
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St. Louis, MO 63109

Washington Office

Office: (636)-239-5959

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Address:
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Washington, MO 63090

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