When there is not enough bone in the jaw or the bone present isn’t strong enough to support an implant, a bone graft may be necessary. We use bone grafting material, naturally occurring and biocompatible, which is then grafted to the jawbone.
It is a minimally invasive procedure
It stimulates bone growth and healing
It helps to maintain and improve the shape of the jaw
The bone graft is placed under the gum to allow it to heal naturally
If you have had a hip or leg operation, you will need to let us know about this
It takes approximately 3-4 weeks before the bone graft has fully healed
It is not recommended if there is a risk of infection
In this article
With advances, we now have biocompatible grafting materials that can help strengthen the current bone and make an implant possible. Healing time can be reduced and bone growth can be stimulated. The implant is more secure and long-lasting.
Alloplast
This is a synthetic material that is readily available and cheaper than some alternatives. There is also less risk of donor-specific infection.
Autografts
These are bone grafts that come from your own body. They are considered the “gold standard” of grafts. They have a high content of resident growth factors which make them ideal.
Allografts
These are bone grafts similar to autografts as they are human in origin but usually come from a cadaver or a bone bank. Some worry about disease but a tight screening process and advancements in processing technology make disease virtually unseen in the U.S.
Xenografts
These are bones taken from another species, usually of the bovine variety. The organic portion has been completely removed so there is zero chance of contracting BSE (Mad Cow Disease).
While bone grafting may sound scary, the procedure is routine, predictable, and should not be feared. Because bone grafting is performed while the patient is under anesthesia, there is virtually no pain during the procedure.
Recovery time depends on the injury or defect being treated and the size of the bone graft. Your recovery may take 2 weeks to 3 months. The bone graft itself will take up to 3 months or longer to heal. You may be told to avoid extreme exercise for up to 6 months.
Bone grafting can successfully rebuild bone in areas where it is deficient, ensuring there is enough healthy bone for dental implant treatment. Another reason for having bone grafting is to help improve the overall aesthetics of treatment.
Bone grafting is generally safe, but it does have some rare risks. There is also a risk that your bone might not heal well even with your bone graft. Many of your specific risks will vary according to the exact reason for your bone graft.