What are the risks (long term and short term) of using Cadaver Bone Graft before Dental Implant?

Question

What are the risks (long term and short term) of using cadaver bone graft before dental implant? Would it be better to just have the tooth (last molar on the lower area) extracted than to extract and do an implant? My last molar has infection, which is my dentist said we might need to do a bone graft for better support of the implant.

Lance Timmerman, DMD, MAGD · Answer

First, one needs to understand how bone works to begin with.  Bodies need calcium to function, so cells "digest" bone to free it up.  Other cells lay down bone where it previously was taken, a sort of "circle of life."  A graft simply creates a scaffolding to lay down bone.  Long term the graft (no matter what material is used) is gone, it is replaced with host bone.  Some materials take longer to turn over, so bone is normally best.  Your situation LIKELY is best done by extracting the infected tooth, grafting to preserve bone VOLUME (needed for an implant) and then placing an implant when healed.

Dan Hagi, DDS · Answer

All bone graft materials are sourced for certified and licensed bone banks.  The graft materials are usually irradiated and the chances of transmission of disease is almost nil.  Infection is possible as with any implantation of foreign material.  There are other synthetic materials that can be used or even your own bone harvested from your mouth.  You need to discuss all the options with your dental surgeon and come up with the best plan for you.

Herbert Veisman, DDS · Answer

As long as your dentist uses a certified and recognized bone bank, your risks are minimal. Your surgeon can also get some bone from your own mouth to graft into the extraction socket. You need to know your options. There are various grafting materials (cadaver, coral, ceramics, membranes) that work as well as cadaver bone and you should know your options.

Bill Williams, DMD, MAGD · Answer

There are few if any issues with human donor bone grafts. They have been treated to remove the transmission of any diseases. I would not hesitate to have such a bone graft. Our patients always have the option of bovine (cow) or lab made bone, too. We see that the best graft is the human donor bone but only a few percentage points better...so not a big issue ever to me. All bone grafts are subject to having to be stabilized well to work well. Moving bone grafts (under pressure from dentures, chewing on them) do not form as much bone as well protected bone grafts for instance. Time is a significant factor in how well a bone graft works due to the fact that old scaffolding (donor bone) is replaced by host bone generated by the patient over time.  Bottom line...don't worry about what type bone too much. Just enjoy your implants when you get the teeth!

Ali Makhmalbaf, DDS · Answer

If you have an infected tooth and it has to be extracted, I recommend not to place implant right after extraction. It is better to extract your tooth, place bone graft for socket preservation ( can be synthetic or cadaver), wait almost 3 months for healing then place implant. There is no risk for using cadaver bone graft. It is just psychological issue.

What are the risks (long term and short term) of using Cadaver Bone Graft before Dental Implant?

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Answer: Cadaver bone graft

Answer: Cadaver bone graft

Answer: Risks of bone graft

Answer: Risks of bone graft

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Everything you need to know about Dental Bone Graft

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What are the risks (long term and short term) of using Cadaver Bone Graft before Dental Implant?

Answers (7)

Answer: Cadaver bone graft

Answer: Cadaver bone graft

Answer: Risks of bone graft

Answer: Risks of bone graft

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Bone Graft

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.