Over a period of time, the jaw bone associated with missing teeth atrophies and is reabsorbed. This often leaves a condition in which there is poor quality and quantity of bone suitable for the placement of dental implants. In these situations, most patients are not candidates for the placement of dental implants.
With bone grafting we now have the opportunity to not only replace bone where it is missing, but we also have the ability to promote new bone growth in that location. This not only gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width, it also gives us a chance to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.
Autogenous bone grafts, also known as autografts, are made from your own bone, taken from somewhere else in the body. The bone is typically harvested from the chin, jaw, lower leg bone, hip, or the skull. Autogenous bone grafts are advantageous in that the graft material is your own live bone, meaning it contains living cellular elements that enhances bone growth, also eliminating the risk of your body rejecting the graft material since it comes from you.
Allogenic bone, or allograft, is dead bone harvested from a cadaver, then processed using a freeze-dry method to extract the water via a vacuum. Unlike autogenous bone, allogenic bone cannot produce new bone on its own. Rather, it serves as a framework, or scaffold, over which bone from the surrounding bony walls can grow to fill the defect or void.
Xenogenic bone is derived from non-living bone of another species, usually a cow. The bone is processed at very high temperatures to avoid the potential for immune rejection and contamination. Like allogenic grafts, xenogenic grafts serve as a framework for bone from the surrounding area to grow and fill the void.
Both allogenic and xenogenic bone grafting have an advantage of not requiring a second procedure to harvest your own bone, as with autografts. However, because these options lack autografts bone-forming properties, bone regeneration may take longer than with autografts, and have a less predictable outcome.
This product is processed allograft bone, containing collagen, proteins, and growth factors that are extracted from the allograft bone. It is available in the form of powder, putty, chips, or as a gel that can be injected through a syringe.
Graft composites consist of other bone graft materials and growth factors to achieve the benefits of a variety of substances. Some combinations may include: collagen/ceramic composite, which closely resembles the composition of natural bone, DBM combined with bone marrow cells, which aid in the growth of new bone, or a collagen/ceramic/autograft composite.
Synthetic materials also have the advantage of not requiring a second procedure to harvest bone, reducing risk and pain. Each bone grafting option has its own risks and benefits. Drs. Woodbury or Howard will determine which type of bone graft material best suited to your particular needs.
Dr. Woodbury is originally from Rhode Island. He earned honors in the College of Science with a Bachelors of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Rhode Island. He then continued his training at the University of Pennsylvania. In Philadelphia he earned both dental and medical degrees. He completed his residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 1998.
Dr. Woodbury has practiced in and has called Saginaw his home since 1998. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He is a licensed specialist by the State of Michigan to practice Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Dr. Woodbury has authored and published multiple articles and textbook chapters related to the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He has spent extensive time assisting in the modernization of the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery examination for the State Board of Dentistry in Michigan.
Dr. Howard is originally from Jackson, Mississippi. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. Following college graduation he attended the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. Upon graduation from the School of Dentistry he completed a General Practice Residency at the University of Mississippi with emphasis in hospital care. Given his interest in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, he then completed an internship at the Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. Dr. Howard then attended the University of Michigan pursuing certification in the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Howard completed his specialty training in 2002.
Dr. Howard has practiced in the Mid-Michigan area since 2003. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is licensed to practice in the states of Michigan and Mississippi. Dr. Howard is a licensed specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the state of Michigan.
Dr. Howard and his wife share three children. The Howard family resides in Freeland, where they enjoy being active in the community. Dr. Howard enjoys partaking in many outdoor interests with his family.