What is an alveolar bone graft?
Alveolar is another word for gum. The red part on the outside of the gum is called the mucosa (this is what you can see if you look in the mirror). The mucosa has bone inside it. Some people, like you, are born with a gap in their gum. This means that they do not have bone in that bit of the gum.
An alveolar bone graft (ABG) is the name for the operation to put a bit of bone into the gap in your gum. During an Alveolar bone graft operation a surgeon will take a really small bit of bone from your hip and will put this in the gap in your gum.
The operation takes place at the hospital. You will not be awake during the operation. Another type of doctor called an anaesthetist will give you some special medicine to make you go to sleep.
Sometimes people call alveolar bone graft operations ‘ABGs’:
- Alveolar – another word for gum.
- Bone – what will go into your gum.
- Graft – the special medical word for when something is taken from one bit of the body and put into another. In an alveolar bone graft a piece of bone from your hip will be put into your gum.
Why do I need an alveolar bone graft?
The gum has some important jobs to do. One of the gum’s jobs is to hold your teeth in the right place. When someone is born with a gap in their gum it means that the gum cannot hold their teeth in place properly.
When they are old enough, people with a gap in their gum can have an alveolar bone graft operation to put a little bit of bone in the gap. Having an alveolar bone graft operation means that when your grown-up teeth grow they do not wobble and they will be as straight as possible.
Before the alveolar bone graft operation
Having braces
A while before you have an alveolar bone graft operation you might have some braces put on your teeth. These braces make the gap in your gum wider to make enough space for the surgeons to put the bone into your gum. Most people have their braces on for about a year before the gap in their gum is wide enough, but sometimes people have their braces for a bit longer before they are ready to have their alveolar bone graft operation.
When the orthodontist (that is a dentist that fits and looks after braces) thinks that the gap in your gum is big enough, they will swap your brace for a smaller brace which will hold your teeth nice and still for your operation.
What happens when I am ready for the alveolar bone graft operation?
When you are ready for the operation your parents or carers will be given a date for the
operation. You will attend a pre-admission clinic with the cleft specialist nurses where pre
and post care will be discussed.
You will also be given a 5 days pre-operation patient pack, which will include:
- 5 days’ of special toothpaste
- 5 days’ worth of special antibacterial mouthwash
- 5 days of a special cream
How do I take care of myself after my alveolar bone graft operation?
You need to look after your mouth and hip carefully. You will be given a pack with some things that will help you to look after your teeth and mouth. Your pack will include:
- A soft toothbrush – For 2 to 3 weeks you should brush all of your top teeth and
gums very carefully using the soft toothbrush. You can use your normal
toothbrush on your bottom teeth. - Mouthwash and syringe – Use the syringe to rinse mouthwash around your
whole mouth twice a day for up to two to three weeks.
You will also have an appointment with your specialist nurse 7 to 10 days after your
operation.
