Bone Grafting

Dental implants require a sturdy foundation to be successful. The root of a tooth naturally stimulates the jaw bone during chewing, keeping the bone strong and healthy. When a tooth is missing, the jaw bone does not get stimulated in that area. This leads to bone deterioration and can cause nearby teeth to shift at an angle.

Bone grafting is a routine procedure that helps more patients become candidates for dental implants. It rarely causes any discomfort and produces predictable results.

Do I Need a Bone Graft?

If you’ve had one or more teeth missing for a long time, it is likely that bone has deteriorated in that area. It is not uncommon to have a bone graft placed immediately after a tooth is extracted. This keeps the jaw bone strong until you restore the missing tooth.

Other reasons for needing a bone graft are:

• Gum disease
• Facial trauma
• Developmental defects

Using a Bone Graft to Prepare for Dental Implants

A bone graft is made of a synthetic material or by using a small section of bone from another area of the body. When placed into the area that needs more bone, the jaw bone will heal around the graft. The graft promotes the growth of new bone and helps the jaw regain sturdiness. Then we wait for the graft to heal, which usually takes several months. Once you’re ready, your surgeon will place the dental implants, which will fuse with the healthy bone in your jaw.

If you require a minor graft, we can place it at the same time as the implants and the entire area will heal together.