A chin graft is a surgical procedure that involves taking bone material from the chin and grafting it to another bony part of the oral cavity for cosmetic or corrective purposes. Although a chin graft is grouped under gum surgeries because it entails manipulating the gums, it focuses primarily on building up the bone on the jaw that has recessed or deteriorated due to injury, tooth extraction or disease.
When performing a bone graft surgery, the oral surgeon can obtain the graft material from different sources. Despite the wide array of materials obtainable for a bone graft, the chin graft procedure depends solely on using chin bone.
One of the benefits of a chin graft is that it enables the oral surgeon to work faster and more effectively during surgery due to the proximity of the bone source. Most times, the surgeon can reinforce the fusion of the chin graft and the recipient bone by adding synthetic or alloplastic bone material.
The oral surgeon recommends bone grafting for restoring the jawbone to serve any of the following purposes:
Dental implants – Implants are the favorite options when it comes to tooth replacement because they restore full dental function and appearance. However, the implant must be rooted solidly in the jawbone to work. If the jawbone does not have the minimum quality or quantity, a chin graft can be used to augment and strengthen the implant site.
Sinus lift – A sinus lift involves raising the sinus membrane and transferring bone graft material onto the sinus floor for implant placement or facial aesthetics.
Ridge augmentation – Bone ridges are often caused by trauma, injury, congenital disabilities or advanced periodontal disease. A chin bone graft is done to fill the ridge and make the jawbone appear more uniform.
Nerve repositioning – A bone grafting procedure may be required if the inferior alveolar nerve needs to move to allow implant placement. The inferior alveolar nerve is responsible for touch and sensation in the lip and lower chin.
Socket preservation -- In some cases, the dentist may be faced with a scenario where after a tooth extraction, there is an inadequate bone tissue in the socket to support an implant. While the cause of bone deficiency in the area may not be known, a chin graft is an effective surgical procedure to replace the bone and enable additional reconstructive work.
Bone grafting is a simple procedure that is usually done under local anesthetic. The surgeon may opt for general anesthesia if the bone graft site is larger. First, they will harvest the graft material from the chin and prepare it for grafting. The oral surgeon will then make a small incision in the gum tissue to access the bone. Lastly, the bone graft material will be transferred to the affected area.
The use of a chin graft reduces the risk of infection and rejection. It also makes the bone grafting procedure easier and faster. To learn more about the procedure and if you might need it, book an appointment with the oral surgeon for a consultation.
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