If you are dealing with a bone defect, you might be wondering how to protect and preserve your bone mass. You might also be wondering what the differences are between artificial bone grafting and traditional bone grafting. According to National Center for Biotechnology Information, 16-year-old research on two million people who have undergone bone grafting revealed that the U.S. is experiencing a shift from conventional bone grafts to artificial bone graft substitutes. Below are some differences between traditional and artificial bone grafting.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKES TO RECOVER?
Traditional bone grafting techniques have a longer recovery time than artificial ones. The methods require using ideal donors who may not always be available. Doctors might opt for an artificial bone graft if you cannot easily find a suitable donor source. Usually, artificial bone grafts can be implanted into patients in a day or over multiple days. Most traditional techniques tend to have a higher recovery time than artificial techniques because they require the surgeon to remove a large chunk of healthy bone and add the diseased tissue. This can take anywhere between three and ten days. Placing an artificial bone graft in patients only takes a few hours.
WHICH IS EASIER TO GET?
The artificial bone grafting method is more accessible. It provides better patient results and does not require as much blood supply as traditional bone grafts. As such, the materials used in artificial bone grafts are easier to find than natural donor sources, which are often scarce. That is why doctors often recommend that their patients receive artificial bone grafts instead of traditional ones.
WHICH IS SAFER?
When having a bone defect, doctors typically prefer traditional bone grafting to artificial bone grafting. It gives patients a more natural experience post-surgery, making recovery much more manageable. Traditional bone grafting also fills significant gaps or defects between two bones. Aside from the risk of rejection by the body, artificial bone grafts are also much more expensive than traditional bone grafts. As a result, the cost may be several times more than conventional bone grafts.
Artificial bone grafts are usually considered over traditional bone grafts when a patient has a bone defect. The bone grafting methods have an easier recovery, less pain, and better results. Additionally, the materials for artificial bone grafts are thought to be easier to get than conventional bone grafts. It is important to remember that health professionals can use these two options for the best patient outcome possible. Contact us today if you are looking for an experienced doctor to help you decide which type of bone grafting is best for you.