Over time, the jawbone that once held missing teeth is reabsorbed, leaving sparse suitable bone to be used for dental implants. Patients in this situation have historically not been eligible for placement of dental implants. Today however, we have the ability to grow bone, not only giving us the opportunity to place properly-sized implants where needed, but also restore previous functionality and appearance.
Autogenous bone grafts (also known as autografts) are made from bone taken from somewhere else in your own body, typically the chin, jaw, lower leg bone, hip, or the skull. A benefit of autogenous bone grafts is that the bone used for the graft is live, meaning it contains living cellular elements that encourage and enable bone growth.
Allogeneic bone (or allograft) is bone harvested from a cadaver and processed using a freeze-dry method to extract water. Unlike autogenous bone, allogenic bone cannot produce new bone on its own, instead serving as a model for existing bone from the surrounding bony walls to grow and fill the void.
Xenogenic bone is harvested from the non-living bone of another species. The bone, usually from a cow, is processed at very high temperatures to avoid the potential for rejection and contamination when it hits the immune system. Like allogeneic grafts, xenogenic grafts serve as scaffolding for bone from the surrounding area to grow and fill the void.
Allogeneic and xenogeneic bone grafting procedures are advantageous in that they only require one procedure. However, because these options lack the ability to form bone on their own, regeneration is longer and less predictable than with autografts.
Synthetic materials also only require one procedure, reducing risk and pain. Dr. Rezvan will evaluate the risks and benefits of each bone grafting option to determine which type of bone graft material is right for you.
Dr. Ehsan Rezvan grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He completed his undergraduate education with a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University. He then continued his education and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Ohio State University in 2002.
Dr. Rezvan went on to complete a 3 year specialty and residency program at Ohio State University, earning a certificate in Periodontics and a Masters of Science in Dentistry, performing clinical research on oral and intravenous conscious sedation.
Dr. Rezvan is Board Certified as a Diplomate of the American Academy of Periodontology and is an active member of the following associations: American Academy of Periodontology; American Dental Association; California Dental Association; Western Society of Periodontology; Santa Clara Dental Society, and Monterey Dental Society.
Dr. Rezvan has maintained a full time private practice in Gilroy and Monterey, CA, limited to Periodontics and dental implants since 2005. Dr. Rezvans practice utilizes an i-CAT, a 3-D cone beam machine, for all the surgeries involving dental implants and complicated extractions. Dr. Rezvan is also trained and certified in Intravenous and Oral Conscious Sedation.
On a personal note, I have been privileged and honored to be serving the communities of Gilroy, Morgan Hill and Monterey county for the past 14+ years. My staff and I strive for the best possible results under the most comfortable settings and only use the most extensively researched materials for all procedures performed at our office.