Generally speaking, people who have suffered tooth loss or have a history of implant surgery may need bone grafting before getting implants. Bone grafting is necessary to restore the edentulous area of the missing tooth. As per estimates, around 50% of implant procedures require bone grafts. However, for successful bone grafting procedures, it is essential to use an ideal bone graft substitute that is biomechanically stable, can degrade within a specific time frame, and possesses osteoconductive, osteogenic and osteoinductive properties. Besides that, the substitute should be able to provide a stable environment that favours bone-forming cells and invading blood vessels. Specialised dental bone graft suppliers in the UK offer bone graft materials that meet the requirements of successful grafting procedures. However, selecting the most suitable bone graft material is highly crucial. This guest post deals with the subject. Read along to know more!
What should you consider when selecting the best bone graft material?
When choosing the material for bone grafting, you must keep in mind the patient’s preference and the status and complexity of the bone deficiency. The goal of each bone graft is to maintain the space while the body forms new bone; however, every patient has unique needs that may require specific bone grafting material. Dental bone graft suppliers in the UK provide specialised bone graft materials that offer distinct attributes for successful bone graft procedures, such as:
Osteoconductive: This characteristic in a graft material stimulates osteoblasts in the graft structure to be used as a scaffold for repair and new bone formation.
Osteoinductive: Osteoinductive materials encourage the migration of mesenchymal stem cells into the grafting site through blood vessels. This promotes the formation of osteoblasts from undifferentiated osteoprogenitor cells.
Osteogenic: They contain living osteoblasts that stimulate the formation of additional osteoblasts on the scaffolding.
Different Types of Bone Grafts In Dentistry Based on the Source of the Material
- Autografts- They are sourced from the patient’s own body. The biggest advantage of autografts is there is zero chance of rejection or disease transmission. It has osteoconductive, osteoinductive, and osteogenic properties.
- Xenografts are sourced from animals, typically a cow( bovine xenograft) or a pig (porcine xenograft). Sometimes, when the bone available is insufficient for an autograft, and the patient’s body rejects an allograft, a xenograft is used. A specialised xenograft supplier in the UK offers reliable osteoconductive xenografts.
- Allografts- They use bone taken from a human cadaver. Being osteoconductive and osteoinductive, allografts can be used as a solid foundation for socket preservation and ridge augmentation.
- Allloplasts are the last choice for grafting materials derived from resorbable or non-resorbable synthetic materials.
Wrapping up:
The best bone graft material for dental implants needs to have all the characteristics – osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, and osteogenicity. However, graft material seldom has all of the above. The option that is well-suited and acceptable to the patient’s body is usually used. A trusted xenograft supplier in UK also supplies other graft materials that are safe and reliable for successful grafting procedures.
