Bone Grafting
Restore lost bone to allow patients to become candidates for dental implants. Various grafting options to help more patients qualify.
Schedule a ConsultationWhat Is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting restores lost bone to allow patients to become candidates for dental implants. Tooth roots naturally stimulate bone growth through chewing. When teeth are missing, the jaw bone can begin to deteriorate over time.
Common causes of bone loss include:
- Untreated tooth loss
- Gum disease (periodontal disease)
- Facial trauma or injury
- Tumors or cysts
- Congenital defects
Bone graft material can be sourced from a tissue bank or from another part of your body, depending on the extent of grafting needed. Dr. Martin will discuss the best option for your specific case.
Types of Bone Grafting Procedures
Dr. Martin offers several grafting techniques to rebuild lost bone and prepare for dental implants.
Sinus Lift
A sinus lift thickens the bone between the sinus cavity and the upper jaw. This procedure adds bone height in the posterior upper jaw, creating enough space and density for dental implant placement.
Socket Preservation
After a tooth extraction, a bone graft is placed directly into the empty socket. This preserves the natural contours of the jaw and prevents bone loss, keeping the site ready for a future dental implant.
Ridge Expansion
When the alveolar ridge has lost width or height, ridge expansion adds bone mass to restore proper dimensions. This technique creates a solid foundation for implant placement.
Major Bone Grafting
For patients with severe bone loss, major bone grafting reconstructs significant portions of the jaw. This may involve grafting from a tissue bank or using bone from another part of your body.
Nerve Repositioning
In cases where the inferior alveolar nerve is positioned in the way of implant placement, nerve repositioning moves the nerve to allow for safe and successful implant placement in the lower jaw.
Your Bone Grafting Journey
From evaluation to healing, we guide you through every step.
Evaluation & Imaging
Dr. Martin evaluates your jaw bone using advanced 3D imaging to assess the extent of bone loss and determine the appropriate grafting technique for your needs.
Grafting Procedure
The bone graft material is carefully placed at the treatment site. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation options available for your comfort.
Healing & Integration
Over several months, the graft material fuses with your existing bone, creating a strong and dense foundation. The healing time varies depending on the extent of the graft.
Implant Placement
Once the graft has fully healed and integrated, dental implants can be placed securely into the newly regenerated bone, restoring your smile and oral function.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Grafting
Patients who have experienced bone loss due to missing teeth, gum disease, facial trauma, or other conditions may need bone grafting to create a stable foundation for dental implants. Dr. Martin will evaluate your bone density during your consultation.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation options available, so you will not feel any pain during the surgery. Post-operative discomfort is typically manageable with prescribed pain medication and resolves within a few days.
Bone graft healing typically takes several months, depending on the extent of the graft. During this time, the graft material fuses with your natural bone through a process called osseointegration. Dr. Martin will monitor your progress and let you know when you are ready for implant placement.
Bone graft material can be sourced from a tissue bank (donor bone) or from another part of your own body (autogenous graft), depending on the extent of grafting needed. Dr. Martin will discuss the best option for your specific situation during your consultation.
Some patients have sufficient bone density for implant placement without grafting. However, if bone loss is present, grafting is often necessary to ensure the implant has enough support for long-term success. Dr. Martin will evaluate your bone structure during your consultation.
Ready to Rebuild Your Smile?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Martin to discuss bone grafting and dental implant options.
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