Bone graft
Maxillary graft techniques in pre-implant surgery improve implant indications for patients that have maxillary osseous deficit.
Bone graft
When we first started in October 1988, the graft was taken from the ilium. The effects of the operation were often painful which made it the main inconvenience. For the past 6 years, we our preference has been given to cranial parietal graft.
The reasons for this choice are:
- Simple effects of the operation
No pain, no visible scars, no visible deformation and no risk of fragility for the skullcap.
- Quality of the skull bone
The skullcap is made from 3 layers: the outer cortical, an intermediate layer called diploe that’s made of cancellous bone and an inner cortical. The density of this bone is very high: it is a membranous bone like those of the face and the clavicle contrary to other bones of the body which are of endochondral nature. This degree of quality helps the graft support chewing forces powered by the implants.
- The possibility to use part of the grafted cortical bone to create a roof over the cavity for sinus floor elevation
Sinus floor elevation
Sinus floor elevation is appropriate for treating bone insufficiencies in the posterior regions. The formal treatment sequence goes as follows: implant placement 6 months after the graft followed by the usual osteointegration period of implants. In rare cases, implants can be fitted at the same time as the elevation, provided that the remaining bone height is at least 5 mm which will ensure primary retention.