Bone Grafting procedure before dental implants

regrowing jawbone for dental implant placement

In order to place a dental implant, there must first be adequate jawbone. Without sufficient bone mass, the dental implant is more likely to fail early or have trouble fusing with the existing bone at all. For this reason, bone grafting is sometimes required before the implant is placed.

Dental Implants: Will I need bone grafting?

Only a thorough examination in our office can determine whether or not you will need a bone graft, but here are a few commonly occurring instances that often indicate its necessity:

• A tooth has been missing for several months or more. If you lost a tooth or had an extraction and didn’t have an implant or graft placed immediately after, your jawbone has likely deteriorated.
• You experienced trauma or infection that caused defect in the bone.
• Front teeth are missing. The walls of the front teeth sockets are often very thin and have a difficult time regenerating on their own.
• Your sinus cavities are very large or low. In this case, a “sinus lift” may be required to help restore the bone height needed for implant placement.

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What is bone grafting?

Bone grafting is a very common procedure during which we implant donated bone (usually from elsewhere in your body) and a special grafting material into the site that needs improved ridge width and/or height. The jaw is then left to heal for several months while your body grows new bone in the area.

Does bone grafting add more time to the implant process?

Yes, it takes several months for new bone to grow in the jaw. Once the bone is adequately rejuvenated, we can resume the implant process.

What is recovery from bone grafting like?

Bone grafting may cause some post-op tenderness for a few days, but typically, this mild pain can be managed with over-the-counter medications. Any necessary prescriptions will be discussed at your appointment.
For more information about Bone Grafting for Dental Implants or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Grant or Dr. Mergelmeyer, call our office, Center for Oral reconstruction and Education in Orange, CA at Center for Oral Reconstruction & Education Phone Number 714-771-7677.