There may be inadequate bone for implant placement if your tooth was removed many years ago and your bony ridge is extremely thin. In this case, a bone graft can be placed next to the thin bone and allowed to heal for three to six months. After the graft has fused to your pre-existing bone, the ridge will be re-entered and the implant placed. Bone grafting is usually a relatively comfortable office procedure. Many different bone-grafting materials are available, including your own bone.
Dental Implant Bone Grafting
After tooth extraction, a bone graft is often placed in sockets with thin walls to promote more predictable bone healing and ensure adequate bone volume for future implant placement.
Do I Have Enough Bone for an Implant?
After tooth extraction, if the walls of the socket are very thick, they will usually fill naturally with bone in two to three months. However, when the walls of your socket are very thin (such as in your upper and lower front teeth), this type of healing will be less predictable. In these situations, a bone graft is often placed during tooth extraction to help your body fill the empty socket with bone. This step will maintain the width and volume of bone you will need for implant placement several months later.
Call to Schedule01.
Process
- Assessment and Preparation: An initial consultation includes imaging to determine bone loss and grafting needs. Local anesthesia and, if needed, sedation ensure comfort during the procedure.
- Graft Placement: The surgeon makes an incision in the gum to expose the jawbone, placing graft material (from your body, a donor, or synthetic) to support new bone growth.
- Securing and Closing: The graft is secured, and the area is sutured to protect it during healing.
- Healing and Integration: Over the following months, the graft integrates with your natural bone, strengthening the jaw for future implant placement.
FAQ
-
What is a bone graft?
-
Why would I need a bone graft?
You may need bone grafting if the sinus cavities in your upper jaw are very large or very low and extend into the tooth-bearing areas. This often occurs when teeth in the back of a person’s upper jaw have been removed many years before, and the amount of bone available for implant placement is limited. A sinus grafting procedure is then required.
-
What is a sinus grafting procedure?
The surgeon often performs the procedure in the office using local anesthesia and perhaps sedation. During this procedure, the membrane that lines the sinus will be located and elevated. Bone will then be added to restore the bone height and ensure that dental implants of an adequate length can be placed. This procedure often can be performed at the time of implant placement.
Related Services
Dental Implants
The oral surgeon places titanium posts into the jawbone, which acts as a sturdy foundation for the replacement teeth.
Dental Implants
Implants for Dentures
Instead of resting on the gums, dentures are anchored to dental implants placed in the jawbone, providing superior stability.
Implants for Dentures