Bone Plating — A surgical procedure which uses small metal screws, which are generally titanium, screws and also biodegradable plates in order to stabilise jaw bone fractures. In addition to that, it also supports dental implants, especially when the patients have experienced serious bone loss. It also helps with the orthodontic movement, thereby functioning as internal splints for holding bone fragments or strengthening the areas which need bone regeneration – an approach which is vital for repairing the jaw and also for complex dental reconstruction. 

Types and applications 

Various types and applications in dental as well as Maxillofacial surgery are: 

• Jawbone fractures: To hold the jawbone, which is fractured in alignment, mini plates, as well as screws, are used. They provide firmness, rigid support and steadiness, thereby allowing the natural healing process of the broken jaw bone (Mandible/Maxilla)  to occur.  This prevents displacement. 
• Dental implants: There should be an adequate quantity as well as quality of the jawbone to assist it in order to make a dental implant successful. Bone graft becomes necessary if a patient has experienced loss of bone because of periodontal disease, tooth extraction or even trauma. They are used in bone grafting for holding the material of grafting, such as bone chips, in their place, thereby creating a scaffold for the bone which is yet to grow, specifically in areas which are significant for the loss of jawbone. 
• Orthognathic Surgery: In a few cases, the tiny plates, also known as the Temporary Anchorage Devices or TADs, can be methodically placed in order to help in guiding the tooth movement more productively. 

The procedure of bone plating 

• The first and foremost thing is to assess the magnitude of bone loss or the type of fracture. For the assessment, you or the oral surgeon can say that the periodontist makes use of the imaging tests, such as CBCT scan or X-rays. 
• In order to expose the jawbone, an incision is made in the gums. 
• For the fractures, the surgeon then places the bone plate, which is sterilised, over the fracture or bone fragments and fixes it with the help of screws. 
• For bone grafting, if it is really needed, the graft material is deposited in the deficient area. The graft material comes from the own body of the patient or a donor, an animal, or it can be synthetic. Small screws or a plate are used to fit the graft and also to cover the area. A protective membrane is used in order to promote healing. 
• The gums are then repositioned and also stitched. After the surgical site is closed, a recuperation period of several months is needed for the bone in order to fuse as well as strengthen encompassing the plate or graft material in the operational process, which is called bone modelling or osseointegration. 
• Once the bone is completely integrated, the crown or bridge, which is the artificial tooth, can be attached if the procedure was performed for an implant. 

Conclusion 

Bone plating provides internal fixation, which is firm and stable for complex jaw and facial injuries, as well as defects, which can further lead to improved and enhanced healing outcomes as compared to the older methods. At Ludhiana Dental Centre, we provide services including bone plating, which results in you having a better set of teeth. Dr Bikramjit Singh Dhillon is the best Prosthodontist as well as Implantologist who gives his full time and potential to the clinical study and treating his patients. You must visit Ludhiana Dental Centre for all your dental problems and get a sparkling smile. 

FAQs 

Q1: Is the procedure of Bone Plating painful? 

A: Generally, before starting the procedure, the patient is given sedation or local anaesthesia. Hence, you should not feel any kind of pain. But bruising and minor swelling are normal which can be managed with ice packs and medication.  

Q2: How long does it take to heal completely? 

A: It often takes a day or two for initial recovery. But your body keeps depositing the new bone cells for the next few months, thereby eliminating the material  used for grafting.