Regenerative bone grafting in the mouth is a highly predictable and a common procedure done by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. As with many dental conditions, there are a variety of way to reconstruct the missing bone. The application of Distraction Osteogenesis for implant site development is one of the more recent advances in this technology. Traditional bone grafting has been used for many years with great success.
In order to know what options are available for your specific condition you would need to meet with an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who would perform an examination and obtain appropriate radiographs. They may also want to consult with the dentist who is going to make the actual teeth before they begin treatment.
In short, the answer to your question is that both methods are used to replace missing bone in preparation for dental implants.
Information contained within this reply is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not intended nor implied to be a medical diagnosis or treatment recommendation. This is not a substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific medical condition or question. Always seek the advice of your own doctor for medical condition. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.
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Is there a minimum quantity of bone needed for distraction osteogenesis to add bone height? What if the bone loss is severe? If more gum tissue is needed, can that be grafted beforehand?