Bone powder surgery is a frequently used procedure in modern medicine and dentistry. This method, which is especially applied before implants, in cases where bone tissue is missing or needs to be supported, attracts attention with its successful results.
What is Bone Powder?
It is a biocompatible material used to treat bone loss and support the regeneration of missing bone tissue. It is frequently preferred especially in implant applications and various reconstructive surgeries. Also called bone graft, this material helps the body regenerate the bone tissue it has lost.
Types of Bone Powder
Bone powders are divided into different categories according to the sources they are obtained from
- Autogenous Grafts: These are bone tissues taken from the person’s own body. They are usually obtained from the jaw, hip or tibia. Since they are taken from the body’s own tissue, they have the highest compatibility rate and are the most effective option in terms of bone regeneration. However, they may be disadvantageous for some patients because they require an additional surgical procedure.
- Allografts: These are bone grafts taken from another person and sterilized by undergoing special processes. They are usually obtained from bone banks. Although it provides the advantage of not requiring a surgical procedure compared to autogenous grafts, its capacity to support bone formation may not be as high as bone tissue specific to the person.
- Xenogenic (Xenografts): They are bone powders of animal origin. They are usually obtained from bovine or porcine bones and undergo special processes to adapt to the human body. After the organic substances are cleaned, only the mineral structure remains, and this structure supports the body’s formation of its own bone over time.
- Synthetic (Alloplastic Grafts): They consist of biocompatible materials produced in a laboratory environment. It is manufactured using hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphate and other bioceramics. It has a low risk of infection and is highly biocompatible, although its ability to trigger natural bone formation in the body may be more limited compared to autocone and allogeneic grafts.
How to Prepare Bone Powder
Bone grafts are biological materials obtained by different methods and allow the replacement of missing bone tissue. The most effective and healthy of these methods is autogenous bone graft. Autogenous graft is performed with bone tissue taken from the patient’s own body. This bone tissue, usually taken from areas such as the jaw, chin, hip bone or tibia, accelerates the healing process and naturally supports new bone formation because it contains living cells.
In addition, bone grafts can be obtained from different sources. For example, allografts taken from cadavers are medically processed and made safe and are successfully used in many surgical procedures. In addition, xenografts obtained from large animals (usually cattle or pigs) are made biocompatible by undergoing special sterilization processes. Such grafts provide a supporting structure for bone tissue without the risk of infection.
Another option is synthetic bone grafts. Produced in a laboratory environment, these grafts consist of bioceramic or calcium-based materials and function in a way similar to the body’s natural bone structure. In most cases, it is preferred to mix autogenous bone grafts with grafts obtained from other sources in certain proportions to achieve the best results. This method both accelerates bone formation and increases the durability of the applied area.
In choosing a bone graft, the patient’s general health status, the amount of missing bone, and the requirements of the surgical procedure to be performed should be taken into consideration. Therefore, the most appropriate graft type and application method for each patient should be determined by a specialist doctor.
Why is Bone Powder Applied?
It is a method generally used in patients who have bone loss or who do not have sufficient bone support. It is widely preferred to increase bone support, especially in dental implant treatment. In addition, bone powder application may be needed in patients with jaw bone loss, in people who have bone loss due to accidents or trauma, in sinus lift operations and in orthopedic or reconstructive surgical procedures. This procedure accelerates the treatment process by supporting new bone formation in place of lost bone tissue and contributes to a healthier skeletal structure.
How to Apply Bone Powder
Bone powder surgery is a procedure performed to fill the gaps in the jawbone after tooth loss and to support the formation of new bone tissue. The area left after tooth extraction may undergo osteoporosis over time, so supporting it with bone powder helps preserve bone volume.
During this process, a special protective barrier is used when necessary to support bone formation in a healthy way. The applied bone powder integrates with the body’s own bone, gains a natural structure, and hardens over time, making it suitable for advanced treatments such as implants. Especially during sinus lift procedures, if the bone quality is sufficient, the implant can be placed in the same session, but if there is not enough supporting tissue, bone powder is applied first and the healing process is waited to be completed.
This process may vary from patient to patient, and the most appropriate time period is determined by the specialist physician.
Is There Pain After Bone Powder Surgery?
Pain after bone powder surgery is usually temporary and mild. Since the procedures performed during the surgery cause the tissues to heal, some patients may experience mild pain, swelling or discomfort after the operation. This pain is a natural part of the healing process in the area where the bone powder is placed. The level of pain may vary depending on the patient’s personal pain threshold, the size of the area where the procedure is performed and the type of surgical intervention.
Most patients can control this pain with mild painkillers. In addition, swelling and discomfort will decrease within a few days. However, if the pain becomes severe or persists for a long time, this may be a sign of a complication and it is important to contact the doctor. In general, the recovery process after bone powder surgery can take several weeks, but patients can often return to their daily activities in a short time.
Things to Consider After Surgery
First of all, there may be mild pain and swelling, this is normal; you can get relief by regularly using the painkillers recommended by your doctor. It is very important to take care of your oral care, especially keeping the healing area clean, but be careful not to strain too much during recovery. You will need to eat soft foods and avoid hard foods.
In addition, not smoking and not consuming alcohol will speed up recovery. Avoid heavy physical activities for a few days after surgery and do not skip your doctor’s check-ups. In suspicious cases such as signs of infection, you should immediately consult your doctor. By following all these recommendations, you can have a smooth recovery process.
Bone Powder Prices
May vary depending on various factors. First of all, the condition of the area to be treated, the type of bone powder used and the duration of the procedure are important factors affecting the price. In addition, the experience of the specialist physician or clinics performing the treatment, the technologies applied and the location of the clinic can also affect the cost. Bone powder procedures performed together with dental implants can usually be at higher price ranges because both procedures are performed together.
In such treatments, the price is usually determined by taking into consideration the healing process and follow-up checks to be followed after the operation. You can get a price immediately by clicking on this text to get a clear price.