Soft tissue expansion for successful bone grafting

When Is Bone Grafting Necessary?

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?

The dental hydrogel expander makes it possible to expand the soft tissue so that it can safely cover the bone substitute material. You’re no doubt aware that if you overpack or overload a suitcase, it can no longer be transported safely, as even the slightest physical impact could cause it to burst open?

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.