Canadian Academy of Periodontology

Bone Augmentation

When the implant placement site is inadequate due to insufficient bone thickness or height, it must be corrected with a bone graft. The “bone augmentation” procedure can be done in different ways.

The bone can be augmented using the person's own bone, harvested from another part of the mouth. The bone can also come from another person or an animal, through recognized bone banks, that sterilize and test the bone for safety.

Finally, synthetic bone substitutes can be used, as well as growth factors and bone growth enhancing proteins. To cover these bone grafts, membranes are used.

The choice of materials and technique used depends on your specific situation and your periodontist’s assessment of the situation.