The Quest for Vital Bone

Implant dentistry has evolved to become heavily prosthetically and esthetically driven.  To achieve ideal results, we need adequate bone to be present.  Often bone needs to be created to achieve ideal bone dimensions.  With so many regenerative materials and techniques out there, what’s the best approach? Cost, morbidity, efficiency, predictably all weigh in on this question.  But probably the most important factor we should ask ourselves, “what will give me the most vital bone”.  Implants integrate into vital bone, not particles.  You need a blood supply, vitality to give an implant a fighting chance.  Autogenous grafting techniques give vital bone, but often require secondary surgical sites and/or result in more post op discomfort.  Advanced regenerative products have been developed that can help achieve substantial dimensions of vital bone.  We will dive into why vital bone is important, and how we can regenerate bone for long-lasting implant health.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the key principles of regenerating bone.

• Become familiar with several different regenerative biomaterials that can be used for socket grafting.

• Observe various techniques to approach the different potential socket grafting situations we run into in our daily practices.