When we perform bone regenerative procedures such as grafting of extraction sockets or osteotomies to build up the bone for treatments such as dental implants, we use various materials to aid in guiding the body to grow more bone. The use of synthetic barrier grafts and PRGF are relatively painless methods that have resulted in quantum leaps in our ability to grow new bone to enhance treatments such as dental implants, bone grafting, and orthognathic surgery.
An Exciting Research Area
This area of research is very exciting and in many ways it is still at its infancy. As we learn to genetically engineer tissues, we will see even more growth.
The referenced article shows the use of marrow stromal cell sheets to “grow” periosteum (the tissue layer right on the surface of bone that helps guide and stimulate bone development). Again, we are already using synthetic barrier grafts to help guide bone regeneration. And we are using natural tissue derivatives such as BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) and PRGF (platelets rich in growth factors, plasma rich in growth factors) to enhance bone development. The developments of new and better natural materials for these procedures give us promise for even better outcomes in the future.
If you are interested in dental implants and have been told that your bone is “not good enough” make sure to look into these options. In most cases, we are able to treat these concerns with easy office based out-patient procedures.
Call (262) 634-4646 to schedule a consultation for dental implants.
Ref: J Oral Maxillofac Surg 72:1078-1083, 2014