Autogenous bone harvesting and grafting: intraoral sites and techniques

One of the important objectives of periodontal surgery is restoration of alveolar bone. Although there is no ideal bone graft, autogenous bone remains the gold standard for alveolar reconstruction as it doesnot produce adverse reactions, has optimal biocompatible remodeling patterns and osteogenic and osteoinductive capabilities. The current trend when implant surgery is done to partially edentulous resorbed dentoalveolar ridges is to harvest bone from an intra-oral donor site. The use of the dental implants for the reconstruction of edentulous jaws has been a progressively growing treatment modality since the late 1970´s. The first reports of intra-oral bone harvesting and bone grafting for dental implants were published at the beginning of the1990´s. The most commonly utilized intra-oral bone harvesting donor sites in dental implant related surgery are the mandibular symphysis and ramus. Smaller amounts of particulated bone graft may be harvested from the maxillary tuberosity, extraosseoustori or with residual alveolar ridge osteoplasty. Today, clinicians have a much better understanding of the requirements for bone regeneration. There has been remarkable development in bone grafting techniques in recent years. This review highlights donorsites and techniques in intraoral autogenous bone harvesting and grafting.