Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is a form of reconstructive surgery that helps to generate and rebuild bone and increase bone density. Bone grafting is often performed to reverse bone loss or enhance existing bone, creating the necessary foundation for dental implant placement.
Bone grafting surgery can be used to treat:
- Structural defects present from birth
- Trauma
- Removal of a tumor
- Tooth loss and subsequent loss of bone in the related jaw area
What to Expect
When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone often is often affected over time. Patients without enough jaw bone mass are not candidates for dental implants. Bone grafting is often performed to reverse bone loss or enhance existing bone, allowing for the placement of dental implants after the bone graft has healed and created the necessary foundation for the implants.
Bone grafting for the purpose of rebuilding jaw bone to support dental implants can usually be done in our office. The surgeon may recommend that the grafting material be taken from the patient's own bone or from another source. Synthetic material can also be used to generate bone growth. Bone grafts can take 4-6 months or longer to heal before dental implants can be placed.