Over a period of time, the jaw bone associated with missing teeth atrophies and reabsorbs leaving a condition where there is both poor quality and quantity of bone available for dental implants. With bone grafting our oral surgeons have the opportunity to not only replace bone where it is missing but have the ability to promote new bone growth in that location. This gives us the opportunity to place implants of proper length and width and gives us a chance to restore functionality and aesthetic appearance.

Autogenous bone grafts (also known as autografts) are from your own bone that is taken from somewhere else in the body. The bone is typically harvested from the chin, jaw, lower leg bone, hip, or skull. Autogenous bone grafts are advantageous in that the graft material is your own live bone, meaning it contains living cellular elements that enhance bone growth eliminating the risk of your body rejecting the graft material since it comes from you. A disadvantage to the autograft is that it requires another surgical procedure to harvest bone from another part of the body.

Allogenic bone also known as allograft) is actually dead bone harvested from a cadaver that is 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 the basis over which bone from the surrounding bony walls can grow to fill the void.

Demineralized Bone Matrix/Demineralized Freeze-Dried Bone Allograft is processed allograft bone, containing collagen, proteins, and growth factors that are extracted from the allograft bone. It is available as a powder, putty, chips, or as a gel that can be injected into the body via a syringe.

Xenogenic bone is derived from non-living bone of another species like a cow. The bone is processed at very high temperatures to avoid your immune system rejecting it. Like allogenic grafts, xenogenic grafts serve as a framework for bone from the surrounding area to grow and fill the void.

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 aids in the growth of new bone, or a collagen/ceramic/autograft composite.

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are proteins which are naturally produced in the body that promote and regulate bone formation and healing. Synthetic materials have the advantage of not requiring individuals to have a second procedure to harvest bone, reducing the risk for complications and pain. Our oral surgeons will determine which type of bone graft material is best suited to your needs.

Dr. Thompson served as a general dental officer in the U.S. Army for three years before being selected to a four year Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residency at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center, where he graduated with honors. He was then promoted to Chief of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at this Army level II trauma center and later was appointed Chief of Surgical Research at the U.S. Army Dental & Trauma Research Detachment.

Dr. Thompson grew up in Mundelein and attended Southern Illinois University for his B.A. He continued his education at the University of Illinois where he earned a B.S. as well as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. His clinical interests are in maxillofacial pathology & trauma and the management of complex medical patients. He is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support, trained in a combat casualty care course, and is a CPR instructor.

Dr. Thompson is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Fellow in American College of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (ACOMS), active member of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (ASDA) and is active in the Illinois Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (ISOMS), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the Chicago Dental Society (CDS).

He attended the College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for 4 years where he received an award for outstanding performance by the department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery.

When not in the office, Dr. Martin enjoys playing pickup basketball and is an avid baseball fan. He loves fishing, traveling the world, and he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, family and over indulged maltipoo.

Ashley has worked for Oral Facial & Implant Specialists since 2009 where she started out as a surgical assistant & patient care coordinator to now managing the entire practice. She loves to find ways to help people smile and be healthy. She's able to answer your questions, help to resolve all concerns, and assist you in any way possible. Making your visit positive is important to her, as well as that each patient has a feeling of ease and confidence in our office. Her personality creates a professional, organized, and fun workplace with a central goal of creating a warm and welcome place for our patients.

Our highly trained clinical team is committed to providing exceptional customer service to ensure patient comfort. Each staff member brings their own uniqueness to the office to help with patient care.

The Doctors and the nurse on staff are always willing to explain and teach whatever it is we need to help with. To meet patients needs we will go above and beyond! Everyone here works together to meet our patients individual needs. Karla, Surgical Assistant.

Our Treatment Coordinators staff will always greet you with a smile when you walk through our doors, they are here to help you navigate through any paperwork and scheduling questions you may have! Combined, our front office staff has over 50+ years of experience working with Dr. Thompson and Dr. Martin at Oral Facial and Implant Specialists.