What is Augmentation (Bone Augmentation)?
Augmentation, as a word, means the act of augmenting. It is commonly performed in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery procedures, especially in implant placement and sinus lift operations, and after cyst removal operations. Augmentation procedures provide great advantages for the patient. One of the most common problems encountered in the long-term after tooth loss is bone loss in the jawbone. We can call this jawbone loss for short. Bone loss and collapse are observed in the jawbone after tooth loss due to various factors. Thanks to the augmentation procedure performed with intent to eliminate these losses, the bone structure adequate for the implant can be formed. The augmentation procedure is performed using bone grafts and membranes. The augmentation procedure is decided on considering panoramic radiograph or dental volumetric tomography, and then the type and amount of material to be used is determined.
What are the Types of Augmentation?
Reductions in the amount of jawbone due to teeth loss at an early age or periodontal diseases can be treated with a variety of augmentation procedures. Augmentation procedures are successfully performed either autogenously using bones and tissues taken from the patients’ own bodies, or by using animal-derived or synthetic graft-membrane materials prepared for such procedures in bone banks. After the adequate bone level is achieved, other treatments can be performed or, if the physician deems appropriate, the procedures can be started simultaneously.
Apart from bone augmentation, soft tissue grafting can be performed to solve periodontal problems. It is possible to treat gum recession or other periodontal diseases by using soft tissue grafts taken from certain areas in the mouth.
Augmentation procedures increase the success of implant placement and periodontal treatment. Inadequate bone quantities in areas where implant placement is planned can be made adequate with this type of augmentation procedures. It is a commonly preferred treatment procedure because it prepares a good infrastructure for implant placement operations.