Guided bone regeneration

[Peter 01]

Hello

I lost my front tooth about a year ago and due to having some family problems, I left the gap with a denture over the last 12 months. Recently I saw my dentist to discuss replacing the denture with an implant and he suggested that due to the bone loss over the last 12 months, I will need guided bone regeneration.

I would like to know if guided bone regeneration is the same as bone grafting? Also how is it usually done? How long does it take to complete and are there occasions when it does not work? If the guided bone regeneration does not work, what would be my options at that point?

[Dr Vahid Motahar]

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

In short yes it is the same. When there is insufficient bone for placement of an implant , there is a need for build up of bone to allow the implant placement. Depending on the size of the deficiency different materials are used and some cases actual block of bone are needed.
The process and the length of time it takes for a successful bone regeneration depends on the size of defect and material used to encourage this process. If this process fails, it is usually repeated and the process is repeated.

If the bone grafting fails all together after few attempts then there can be an underlying cause and if so then one has to consider alternative options to implants.