Guided Bone Regeneration

What is Guided Bone Regeneration?

Bone grafting is a common procedure to re-grow bone that surrounds tooth roots and secures your teeth.  Without enough bone, the jaw cannot support natural teeth or dental implants.

The bone material provides a framework that is absorbed and replaced by your natural bone over a period of time by stimulating your bone building cells to the site.  The bone itself may be human bone or a synthetic version.  We will determine which type of bone will be used to achieve the most successful outcome.

How it is done?

Bone is surgically placed where new bone is needed, often at an extraction site, so as to replace bone that has been lost and to prevent further bone loss in that area.  The bone will be covered by a membrane to hold it in place and create an incubator–like environment for better bone integration. 

Bone grafting is performed using local anesthesia and, if desired, an oral sedative.  You will be placed on an antibiotic, usually beginning the day of your procedure.  The length of your appointment will depend upon the size of the area where bone has been lost and any other procedures being performed. 

You will be asked to follow a soft food diet for the first 7-10 days, at which time you will be seen for a follow-up visit.  We will tell you when you may resume a normal diet.  We will provide detailed pre and post-operative recommendations to ensure the best results.  Complete healing and bone integration will usually occur in approximately 3 months.  If a dental implant is to be placed, you will now be ready to proceed.

Follow up

Apply ice and take Motrin (Ibuprofen) as recommended to reduce/prevent swelling and discomfort.  You will be given an antibacterial mouthwash to use until it is safe to brush in the area of the graft.  We will call and send a text you the day after your procedure to follow up.  Dr. Dufour will be available to see you, should the need arise.