What Is Bone Morphogenic Protein?
Some patients may have the insufficient bone in the jaw, which can affect their facial appearance as well as their ability to get dental implants. Whether this absence of bone is congenital or due to bone loss following tooth loss, an oral surgeon may be able to correct the issue using bone morphogenic protein.
Bone morphogenic protein prompts certain cells in our bodies to create new bone and cartilage. An oral surgeon can place a collagen sponge to which the bone morphogenic protein binds into the site where additional bone is needed. Over time following the surgery, the collagen sponge dissolves and the bone morphogenic protein is left to stimulate bone production.
This approach eliminates the need for the oral surgeon to harvest bone from a second surgical site in the patient’s body, such as the hip. As a result, the patient experiences less discomfort than with a traditional bone graft and the potential for complications at the second surgical site is eliminated.
This type of bone grafting can significantly improve the success rate of dental implant placement in a patient who has experienced some bone loss at the implant site. Patients may not be immediately eligible to get dental implants if they lack sufficient bone to support the osseointegration process that renders dental implants a permanent fixture in the mouth. Bone morphogenic protein can help patients overcome this obstacle, although the patient must allow for adequate time to form sufficient bone before pursuing dental implant placement.
A bone defect can also affect the appearance, making the cheeks or lips appear sunken. Bone morphogenic protein can be valuable for patients in these scenarios as well, restoring facial aesthetics and bolstering the patient’s self-esteem.
If you need to boost the bone in your jaw, contact our team at Stonebriar Facial & Oral Surgery to schedule a consultation. We can examine your jaw, educate you about bone morphogenic protein and determine whether it might be the right treatment option for you.