Bone grafting is a straightforward procedure that is often carried out prior to placing dental implants. New bone material is grafted into areas where there isn’t quite enough natural bone. It’s essential for dental implants to be surrounded by several millimetres of strong, healthy bone and building up bone in areas where it is deficient helps to ensure treatment is a success.
Why Would I Need Additional Bone?
Bone loss can occur if you had advanced periodontal disease or when teeth were removed quite some time ago. It’s quite common to find people who lost teeth many years ago don’t have quite enough bone for dental implants. This is because once tooth roots are removed the bone that used to surround them no longer receive sufficient stimulation to ensure old bone cells are renewed. As a result, bone loss gradually occurs. You may also need a bone graft if you intend to replace upper back teeth that are near the sinus cavities because the bone tends to be naturally thinner in these areas.
Surgical Warning
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should obtain opinions and advice by an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Results and procedures required will vary from individual to individual.
Where Will the Bone Come From?
Your new bone may be taken from another part of the jaw, bone captured during the implant procedure itself , artificial bone or a mixture of the above. Artificial bone is often used as this specialised product may contain growth proteins to help encourage your body to produce its own bone, filling in areas where it is deficient. Our dentist will discuss all possible choices with you so you can choose the most suitable option.
What to Expect during a Bone Grafting Treatment
Most of the time bone grafting is done at the time of implant surgery as we try to use bone fragments from the implant surgery site. In cases where we need to do a graft from another part of the jaw, it will be done prior to your implant placement as the new bone will need to heal for several months before it is suitable for an implant to go ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bone grafting for dental implants?
Bone grafting involves placing new bone material into areas of the jaw that lack sufficient natural bone to support a dental implant. This ensures the implant is surrounded by healthy bone for long‑term stability.
Where does the grafted bone come from?
Bone may be taken from another part of your jaw, collected during the implant surgery itself, or sourced from artificial bone materials. In many cases, artificial bone containing growth substances is used to encourage natural bone formation.
When is bone grafting performed?
Bone grafting is often done at the same time as implant placement if minor augmentation is needed. If more bone is required, the graft is placed beforehand and allowed to heal for several months before the implant is inserted.
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