Bone grafting is a procedure used to preserve, rebuild, or enhance areas of the jaw where bone has been lost or where additional bone is needed. Grafting material is carefully placed in the treatment area, providing a framework that supports the body’s natural healing and bone-forming processes over time.
Bone loss can occur following tooth loss, periodontal disease, infection, trauma, or as a result of individual anatomy. Depending on your needs, bone grafting may be performed at the time of an extraction, in preparation for a dental implant, or as part of a broader periodontal or restorative treatment plan.
Not every extraction, dental implant, or area of bone loss requires grafting. The need for treatment depends on the amount and quality of existing bone, location of the concern, future treatment plans, and overall health of the surrounding structures.
Bone grafting may be recommended when:
Digital imaging and a comprehensive evaluation allow us to determine whether grafting is appropriate and how it should be incorporated into your treatment plan.
Bone grafting can serve different purposes depending on when and why it is performed. Understanding the goal of the procedure helps explain how it fits into your overall treatment plan.
Bone grafting may be performed after an extraction to help preserve the dimensions of the tooth socket and maintain bone in an area that may later receive a replacement tooth.
When an implant site does not have sufficient bone, grafting can help rebuild the area before implant placement or, in appropriate situations, may be performed at the same time.
Periodontal disease can damage the bone supporting natural teeth. In selected cases, regenerative procedures may be used to support healing in areas of periodontal bone loss.
When bone has significantly changed following tooth loss or other conditions, grafting can be used to rebuild the contour or volume of the jaw for future treatment.
Some tenderness, swelling, or minor discomfort can occur after bone grafting and typically improves during the initial recovery period. We’ll provide personalized instructions for protecting the surgical area, maintaining oral hygiene, eating comfortably, and using any recommended medications.
Although the gum tissue may heal relatively quickly, development and maturation of the bone underneath takes longer. The healing timeline varies based on the size and location of the graft, the type of procedure performed, your overall health, and the treatment planned afterward.
Different types of grafting materials are available, including materials derived from human, animal, synthetic, or sometimes the patient’s own bone sources. The appropriate material depends on the procedure, location, amount of bone needed, and individual treatment plan. We’ll explain the recommended option before your procedure.
No. Whether grafting is recommended depends on the location of the tooth, condition of the surrounding bone, reason for the extraction, and plans for replacing the tooth. If maintaining the bone for a future implant or restoration is important, socket preservation may be recommended at the time of extraction.
Healing time varies based on the type and extent of grafting, location, individual healing response, and future treatment needs. The gum tissue typically heals before the underlying bone has fully matured. If the graft is preparing an area for an implant, we’ll monitor healing and determine when the site is ready for placement.
In many cases, bone grafting can help create additional bone where there is not currently enough support for predictable implant placement. However, candidacy depends on your anatomy, oral and overall health, amount of bone loss, and other individual factors. A comprehensive implant evaluation is needed to determine your options.
