What Materials Are Used for Dental Bone Grafts?

As an oral surgeon, you know that oral health is a critically important aspect of a person’s overall physical health. Additionally, having healthy teeth — and by extension, a healthy smile —  is also a key part of many people’s self-esteem and confidence. A variety of factors, including genetics, family history, underlying health conditions, access to dental care, injuries, diet and other lifestyle choices may cause a person’s natural teeth to lack the strength and resiliency they need. 

Luckily, modern dental interventions, including dental bone grafts, can help to address many common dental issues patients today may face. Thanks to many innovations in bone graft materials and techniques, patients have more options than ever before when it comes to their oral health.  

Who Can Benefit From a Dental Bone Graft?

Dental implants are a relatively common dental procedure and can address many common dental problems. For a dental implant to be successful, though, dental bone grafts are often employed as part of the implantation process. 

As an oral surgeon, you can use a dental bone graft as a surgical intervention to add volume, density and strength to places in the patient’s jaw where the natural bone structure has deteriorated. The material for the bone graft can come from a variety of different sources — for example, a patient's own body, a human tissue bank, an animal tissue bank or even from a synthetic material. When a dental bone graft is successful, the patient’s own body can begin a healing process in which natural bone tissue can grow and regenerate around the graft site. 

Any patient who has experienced bone loss in their jaw may potentially benefit from a dental bone graft. The procedure may be especially ideal for patients who are also undergoing other dental interventions, such as a tooth extraction, dental implants, dentures or treatment for gum disease. 

Common Types of Dental Bone Graft Materials

You have a few different options to choose from when it comes to bone graft materials. Deciding which material is right for the patient will depend on a variety of factors, including the patient’s genetics and family and medical history, underlying health conditions and lifestyle choices, such as smoking. You can discuss all of these bone graft options with patients to find a solution that will be both successful and satisfactory.

 

The most common dental bone graft materials, particularly in implant dentistry, include the following.

Autograft

Autograft material is sourced from the patient’s own body. As such, most oral surgeons consider it the gold standard for dental bone grafts. Autograft material is sterile, biocompatible and easy to manipulate. These qualities make it much easier for a surgeon to integrate it into the site. 

However, to acquire autograft material, it must be taken from somewhere else in the patient’s body. This means the patient will have to undergo an additional surgery. Some of the most common source sites for autograft bone material include the patient’s chin and retromolar area. 

Allograft

The term allograft refers to bone graft material that is sourced from a human tissue bank. Essentially, allograft material comes from a human body that is not the patient's. Often, an allograft comes from a cadaver’s bone. The graft piece must undergo extensive treatment to ensure that it is fully sterilized and clear of any potential cross-contamination. 

Allograft material is very low risk, and disease contamination is extremely rare. When autograft isn’t possible, allograft can be an excellent option whose potential benefits can greatly outweigh any potential danger. Allograft can be especially successful as a basis for bone repair procedures.  

Xenograft

In contrast to both autograph and allograft materials, both of which are sourced from humans, xenograft material is sourced from a non-human animal. The most common animal source for a xenograft is bovine, or cow. The animal bone, when sourced, is fully sterilized and deproteinized, meaning all organic material is removed. At that stage, the xenograft bone is nearly identical to the mineral and physical structure of a human bone graft. 

Xenograft has a proven, well-documented record of success, and it is very commonly used in dental surgery. It can be especially successful, thanks to its potential for self-healing properties and the very low risk of disease transmission. Disadvantages of xenografts can include the graft’s inability to stimulate the patient’s cell growth, and parts of the graft may remain in the patient’s body for years without absorption. 

Alloplast

Unlike autografts, allografts and xenografts, all of which are organic in nature, alloplasts are synthetic in origin. Most alloplasts are constructed from fully synthetic materials, or they may contain some natural materials. Some of the most common alloplast graft materials include bioactive ceramics, hydroxyapatite and dicalcium phosphates. 

Most alloplasts can be created in both re-absorbable and non-re-absorbable forms, meaning that there is a great opportunity for customization and malleability with this type of bone graft. Often, oral surgeons will use alloplasts in conjunction with autogenous bone and other fillers to increase the chance of a successful surgical outcome. The exact makeup of an alloplast graft will depend on the patient’s unique case.

As a dental professional, you can discuss alloplast grafts with patients and answer any of their questions or concerns.   
 

For Successful Bone Grafting, Choose HansGBR Biomaterial

Medical professionals and oral surgeons alike can trust in the quality of dental bone graft materials from HansGBR Biomaterial. HansGBR’s proven expertise, experience and achievements in the biomaterial industry speak for themselves. As the largest bioengineering firm in Asia, and certified to the International Quality Standards, HansGBR Biomaterial stands apart from the competition. As such, oral surgeons throughout the world can feel confident in HansGBR Biomaterial and their product offerings, as well as their cutting-edge innovations in the field of biomaterial and bone grafting solutions.

HansGBR Biomaterial provides a comprehensive line of trusted product offerings with proven, successful surgical outcomes. Brands include Exoss, Exoss Plus, SurFuse, ExFuse, CANOSS and INGROSS. With over 10 years of operating in the United States, HansGBR Biomaterial is a truly innovative leader in the biomaterial industry. We only provide allograft products, which allows us to focus on what we do best.

Contact us today to learn more about our product offerings, business model and excellent customer service solutions. For successful bone grafting, choose HansGBR Biomaterial — for dental and oral surgeries, bone repairs and beyond.