Cosmetic Dentistry & Implant Dentistry
Las Vegas, Nevada
Dr. Henry Kim
Affectionate Dental Care

Excellence in Cosmetic Dentistry

Bone Graft and Dental Implants:

Simple bone reconstruction to prepare for dental implants

When natural teeth are ｀pulled out¨ there often occurs a period of rapid bone loss in the area where the tooth (or teeth) have been removed. Thus, if one is considering placing dental implants to replace the lost tooth, then there may be insufficient bone to act as the housing for the implant. This situation is readily remedied by the use of bone substitutes. Bone substitutes act as a matrix for the formation of new bone. In other words, natural bone grows around the substitute and in-between the substitute.

The body then eats away at any remaining substitute and replaces it with natural bone. The final result is natural solid bone with no trace of the bone substitute remaining. This process takes about six months to complete. Often, bone substitute is placed at the same time as a dental implant. In some cases, the substitute is placed when a natural tooth is removed and left to heal prior to placing a dental implant.

Bone substitute is commonly available as either a wholly synthetic material or a bovine derived material. The choice of material is discussed with you prior to surgery. The placing of bone substitutes is safe and discussed with you in depth prior to its usage.

Ridge Preservation for Optimum Aesthetics
and Function

The primary goal of any ridge preservation technique should be to preserve both the hard and soft tissues, especially the interdental papillae, in such a way as to optimize aesthetics and function.

Biological goals

Whenever there is an aesthetic concern, the blood supply and the natural soft-tissue anatomy at the edentulous site should be preserved. Ultimately, the avoidance of post-extraction bone resorption and the preservation of the natural soft-tissue anatomy at the endentulous site become the key elements to obtaining an optimal aesthetic rehabilitation at the site.

The Bio-Col Socket Preservation Technique

With an understanding of these goals and biological considerations, the "Bio-Col" socket preservation technique was developed. The surgical protocol ensures the preservation of both hard and soft tissues at the time of tooth extraction, and it virtually eliminates the bone resorption that would normally follow tooth removal.

Compromised Extraction Socket With Buccal Wall Defect. After extraction, socket presents with a large buccal wall bone defect. Note the partial soft-tissue collapse into the defect area.
　

Grafted Compromised Extraction Socket in Preparation for Delayed Implant Placement or Conventional Prosthesis. After tooth removal, Bio-Gide∝ resorbable collagen membrane placed in prepared subperiosteal pocket, covering bony socket wall defect. Bio-Oss∝ bone mineral placed into the socket and defect area. Note that Bio-Oss∝ slightly expands the adjacent Bio-Gide∝ membrane and overlying soft tissues.

CollaPlug∝ absorbable dressing is placed over the Bio-Oss∝ graft and maintained with suture. Bio-Col Technique With Immediate Implant Placement. Immediate implant placed into intact bony socket. Bio-Oss∝ bone mineral grafted between implant and bony socket walls. Implant fixture and Bio-Oss∝ graft covered with CollaPlug∝ absorbable collagen dressing. Horizontal mattress suture placed to maintain position of collagen wound dressing.
　

Sinus Lift:

Sinus Lift Surgery

Bone loss frequently occurs around the upper molars (1) due to periodontal disease. When these teeth are removed, often times inadequate bone is available to place dental implants in the upper molar areas.

This is when sinus lift surgery can help. This procedure raises (2) the floor of the sinus upward. Thus providing more bone (vertically) height to place Implants.

Now with better bone support or height and placements of dental implants (3).
　

Final Restorations after Implant and Surgery completed.

For the best in smile make over in Las Vegas, Summerlin, Henderson area of Nevada, contact our cosmetic dentistry professionals. Schedule your free consultation today!  702.876.3222

© 2005 Henry Kim DDS