Bone grafts are used in dentistry to restore lost bone volume, often to support dental implants or repair damage from periodontal disease or trauma.
Enamel Matrix Derivatives (EMD): Regenerative Agent
Enamel Matrix Derivative (EMD) is a specialised regenerative that we routinely use in periodontal therapy to promote the repair and regeneration of bone and gingival tissues. EMD is particularly beneficial when the goal is true periodontal regeneration, including the formation of new bone and new periodontal ligament.
Extensive and robust clinical evidence in the scientific literature supports the efficacy and effectiveness of EMD in periodontal regeneration. Additionally, EMDs can be used in combination with other bone graft biomaterials, further enhancing bone and periodontal ligament regeneration.
Autogenous bone graft (of your own jawbone)
Is taken from another area from the jawbone of the same individual. The most common areas include posterior mandible and chin.
The technique we use for the graft depends on the amount of bone required. Sometimes, only scraping of the bone would provide enough bone particles for the recipient site. On the other hand, a larger block of bone is taken in one piece and it is fixated with screws to the recipient site.
Allografts
Are processed graft materials of human origin. These bone grafts are processed to become deproteinised (no protein) but contain the inorganic part (calcified parts). Therefore, there is no risk of any cross contamination from the donor to the patient receiving these grafts.
Xenografts
Are graft materials of bovine or porcine origin. They are also deproteinised (contain no proteins and are completely safe) but some may or may not contain collagen, depending on the type used. These graft materials essentially are calcified particles of various sizes. There is ample evidence in literature in regard to their safety and effectiveness in clinical use in humans.
Growth Factors
These are biochemically-produced growth factors, which are used in a wide range of periodontal procedures in a few countries. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has not yet approved any of these materials for human clinical use in Australia.