Bone grafting is needed when there is a loss of bone tissue, which can occur due to various reasons such as: * **Trauma:** Fractures that cause significant bone loss. * **Infection:** Osteomyelitis (bone infection) can destroy bone tissue. * **Tumours:** Bone tumours or tumours that metastasise to bone may require removal of the affected bone. * **Congenital defects:** Birth defects that result in missing or malformed bone. * **Degenerative diseases:** Conditions like severe osteoarthritis or osteoporosis can lead to bone loss or weakening. * **Tooth extraction (dental implants):** If a tooth has been missing for a long time, the jawbone can resorb (shrink). Bone grafting is often necessary to provide a stable foundation for dental implants. * **Periodontal disease (gum disease):** Advanced gum disease can lead to bone loss around the teeth. * **Spinal fusion surgery:** In some cases, bone graft material is used to help fuse vertebrae together, stabilising the spine. * **Reconstructive surgery after injury or surgery:** To repair defects caused by accidents or the removal of damaged tissue. The purpose of bone grafting is to provide a scaffold or framework that encourages the body's natural ability to regenerate new bone.
Does the patient want to replace a previously extracted tooth and require bone augmentation, but their soft tissue is so limited that it wouldn't be able to cover a larger quantity of bone graft material?
A dental hydrogel expander allows for soft tissue expansion, so that it can safely cover the bone graft material without the risk of the wound dehiscence. You are surely familiar with how, if you overpack or overload a suitcase, it can no longer be transported safely, as it may burst open with the slightest physical impact?
This is precisely the situation with your soft tissue as well, in cases where it has narrowed and a large amount of bone is required to securely hold the implant to be placed. In such instances, bone augmentation is risky, as the tight gum and periosteum cannot bear the necessary amount of bone, and can split along the suture line. Therefore, appropriately wide soft tissue is essential for successful and infection-free bone augmentation.
How does a hydrogel expander help in soft tissue expansion?
The hydrogel expander is of great assistance in expanding the gum and the periosteum beneath it, i.e. the soft tissue. In the first step, the oral surgeon dentist implants the expander under the gum, and then leaves it in place for 4-12 weeks. The material of the dental expander is a type of special hydrogel, which absorbs moisture from its surroundings, and thus swells in a predetermined manner.
This way, the expander will certainly reach its final size and shape, thus prompting the gum to expand continuously. The result is a sufficiently expanded soft tissue, under which the bone can be safely implanted. You do not need to worry about the suture cracking or tearing open. By using a hydrogel expander, bone grafting can also be successfully performed in areas where the soft tissue is extremely narrow, and bone grafting would not be safe without it.
Implantology specialists
Dr Fülöp Papp Márta M.Sc. M.Sc.
Dr Amirhossein Golkhorshidi M.Sc.
At Naturadent, we are committed to high technology, high professionalism and friendly, fearless communication.
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