Bone Grafting for Dental Implants Abroad

Bone Graft for Dental Implant Cost Package: $ 65 to $770 per quadrant

Costa Rica [Dental Clinic with 90% clients from Abroad]
El Salvador [US Board-Certified Dental Surgeon & Implantologist]
India [Clinic run by Board-Certified Dentist]
Mexico [World-Class Dental Clinics]

Strong bones are required to support dental implants and to enable the process of osseointegration. If the bone lacks height or width either because of wearing out of bones or a traumatic injury, then bone grafts are used in a process called bone augmentation. Bone grafts are cheap abroad in countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, India and the like. The advantage is not only cost savings but superior quality dental treatment by Board-certified dentists.

(Source of the pic: http://www.thejcdp.com)

The bone may lack height or width because of any of the following reasons:

• Missing teeth: If the patient has been edentulous (toothless) for a long time, bone absorption accrues gradually.
• Trauma: Any accident that causes bone loss.
• Periodontal disease: Infection may affect bone mass.
• Genetics: Inheriting a specific jaw bone anatomy.

Types of Bone Grafts

There are 3 common types of bone graft material:

Autogenous grafts: The patient’s own bone is taken from other areas in the mouth. Rarely, bone may be taken from areas outside the mouth like the hip or the shin bone. Bone from the hip is considered the best because the hip bone has a lot of marrow (soft tissue within the bone), which contains bone-forming cells.

Allografts: An allograft is a graft between genetically dissimilar members of the same species. An allograft may be obtained from living donors who are having bone removed during surgery or cadaveric donors. Allograft material has been used for more than 30 years in periodontal therapy. There are several types of allografts: (i) Fresh; fresh-frozen allograft (ii) Freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA) (iii) Demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA)

Xenografts: The bone is taken from another species, usually from a cow. The bovine bone is specially processed to make it biocompatible and sterile.

Bone Graft Procedure

If only one implant has to be placed, the material for the bone graft can be taken from the chin.

After administering local anesthesia to the implant site and to the donor site (from where bone will be taken), the periodontist will make an incision in the gum where the implant will be placed to see how much and what type of bone is needed.

A block of bone is then removed from the chin along with any bone marrow. The resulting gap in the donor site is filled usually with another type of bone graft material and is covered with a membrane. The incision is then stitched closed.

In the second stage, the bone graft is placed in the implant site. For this, little holes are drilled in the existing bone to make it bleed. The bleeding is done because blood provides cells that help the bone heal. The bone removed from the chin area is placed and is held firmly by titanium screws.

Next, the patient’s bone marrow and some other bone graft material is mixed and placed around the bone block. Finally, a membrane is placed over the area and the incision is stitched up.

However, if many implants have to be placed, and bone grafts are needed, a lot of bone graft material will be needed. In such a case, bone from your chin is not enough, hence it will have to be taken from the hip, shin or some other site in the body. This procedure is done in the hospital under general anesthesia, and requires an overnight stay.

After the bone augmentation, about 6 to 12 months are required for healing and osseointegration.The success rate for bone grafts in the jaws for the purpose of placing dental implants is very high.

Bone Graft for Dental Implants – Aftercare

• After the bone grafting is done, you will be given some antibiotics, pain medication, and an antibacterial mouthwash.
• Avoid certain hard foodstuff like raw carrots or apples.
• Do not put pressure on the bone graft area while it heals.
• If you wear a denture, you may not be able to wear it for a month or longer while the area heals.
• If you have natural teeth near the bone graft, a temporary removable bridge or denture may be placed there to protect the area.

Risks of Bone Graft for Dental Implants

Bone grafts are not rejected like organ transplants and are highly successful. However, as with any procedure, there is the risk of infection that may lead to graft failure. Or, the bone graft could come loose because it didn’t stabilize well.

The reasons for graft failure are not clearly known. But it has been seen that smokers and those with certain pre-existing medical conditions have a higher chance of graft failure. When a graft fails, a second graft is placed.

Benefits of Bone Graft for Dental Implants

A bone graft makes it convenient to place a dental implant. Without strong bone beneath, dental implants cannot be held securely, hence bone grafts are used.

Before bone grafting processes were used, a person who had insufficient bone structure would automatically be disqualified for bone implants and had to use dentures instead. But dental implants have inarguable advantages over dentures, and bone grafts help you have implants, irrespective of the state of your bone structure.

Alternatives of Bone Graft for Dental Implants

Shorter implants are now available that can be placed without bone grafting, unlike the wider implants. Also, trials are being made to place tilted implants in patients who have edentulous severely resorbed maxillas. These tilted implants do not necessitate bone grafting.

Cost of Bone Grafting for Dental Implants Abroad

The cost of bone grafts for dental implants could vary hugely depending on the kind of graft. It can be a pretty expensive procedure if you are not insured. (Even if you are insured, you need to check if bone grafts are covered and if any co-pay is involved.)

This is why more and more people are now going to Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and India for bone grafts. Because, the cost of bone graft, even with the dentist’s fees, is a fraction of the US costs. Along with the cost savings come other advantages like superior quality of dental treatment, English-speaking board-certified dentists, and top-notch JCI-accredited hospitals.

Helpful links:

Costa Rica dental surgeon Dr Mario Bonilla Robert: He is a dental specialist, and the founder of New Smile Dental Clinic. Dr Bonilla is a pioneer in Valplast technique and mini dental implants in Latin America.

El Salvador dentist Dr. Rafael E. Lorenzana: He obtained his Board Certification in Prosthodontics in the United States, which is only shared by one other practicing dentist in Latin America. Dr Lorenzana has many years of experience in implant dentistry.

Mexico dentist Dr Angel Serrano: His expertise is in same day dental implants, dental crowns, mouth restoration, teeth veneers, and more. Dr Serrano is highly experienced in cosmetic dentistry.

India dentists:

Dr Vivek Iyer: He did his postgraduate studies in laser dentistry from the University of Florida, and has extensive experience.

Dr Manoj Rajan: He is an expert dental surgeon, his specialties being implants and prosthodontics.

Submit free quote request on right for considering low cost Bone Grafts for Dental Implants in Costa Rica, El Salvador, India, Mexico and other countries.