Distraction Osteogenesis vs Bone Grafts - What You Need to Know

Posted on 3/10/2019 by Alyssa O'Steen

For years there was one main solution to repair the bone after some breaks or because of deformity. Bone grafting was the way to go. In recent years, a second choice has emerged, and it is a choice that has had a lot of success. The new procedure is known as distraction osteogenesis, and it is replacing bone grafting in many facial and other surgeries.

Bone Grafting

Bones usually regenerate well after an injury. With bone grafting, a piece of bone is taken from elsewhere in the body, and then it is placed where the healing is needed. The bone will then regenerate and graft together, making it like one bone. It is a complicated surgery.

Distraction Osteogenesis

Distraction osteogenesis uses the body's power of regeneration in a different way. The bone is slowly split, and then the body will cause the regeneration to happen between the two pieces. You will literally grow more bone to fill the gap.

In many cases, distraction osteogenesis is preferred over bone grafting. It is a much simpler procedure, and the healing time can be shorter. Distraction osteogenesis is also preferred for facial and oral surgeries, because we will be able to work with what is right there. No extra bone is needed.

Distraction osteogenesis has been around since the early 1990s, and it is becoming a more popular procedure. It could have a shorter healing time than bone grafting, and the surgery could take less time. If you need facial surgery, we would be more than happy to go over all of your options with you.

In some cases, we might still recommend bone grafting, but do not be surprised if we tell you about distraction osteogenesis as well. It is our goal to help you through the surgery and give you the results that we all desire.

Dr. Shillingburg and the amazing team at DFW Oral Surgeons are proud to provide exceptional care, including wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, and many other services to residents in and around Argyle, Bartonville, Highland Village, Lantana, Double Oak, South Denton, Denton County, and surrounding areas. Not only has Dr. Shillingburg won best Oral Surgeon of Denton County in 2017 and 2018. He has over 10 years of experience treating patients in his state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center in Flower Mound, TX.

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John C. Shillingburg, DDS

Certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Best of Denton County 2019 Committed to Community Excellence - DFW Oral Surgeons

Dr. John Shillingburg is proud to be a native Texan. After graduating from Texas A&M with a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science and from the University of Texas Dental School in San Antonio with a doctorate degree in dental science, Dr. Shillingburg completed a general dentistry residency at Fort Carson in Colorado. Read more.

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