The Basics of Bone Grafting Before Dental Implants

Do you want dental implants but don’t have enough jaw bone to support them? You are not alone. Many patients with missing teeth are told that their jaw bone is inadequate in either height, density or both. Unfortunately, a dental implant must have plenty of healthy surrounding bone to be successful. Without proper bone strength, the implant can fail or become loose.

The good news is that you don’t have to miss out on dental implants just because you have bone loss. However, it does mean that you may have to receive a bone grafting procedure in the months prior to your dental implant surgery.

What is Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that can rebuild bones damaged by disease or trauma. When it comes to dental implants, bone grafting can restore a jawbone that is too thin or weak to accept an implant. As soon as the graft heals, the dental implant (titanium post) can be surgically placed into the rebuilt jawbone. While this pre-requisite procedure may add several months to the overall implant process, your final outcome of strong and permanent replacement teeth will be worth it!

Which Bone Grafts is Right For You?

Every case is unique when it comes to grafting bone to the jaw. For starters, not all bone grafts come from the same source. There are several bone grafting options, including:

• Allograft: bone from a human donor.
• Autograft: bone from the patient, often from the back of the jaw or your hip.
• Alloplast: material containing phosphorus, calcium and other minerals.
• Xenograft: bone from a cow or horse.

Don’t worry; bone grafting is a straightforward and minor oral surgery procedure performed in the office. A small incision in the gum is all that is needed to access the jawbone and add grafting material.

At 1899 Dental Implant, we recognize that many patients still want and deserve dental implants, even if they have bone loss within the jaw. Bone grafting makes that possible. We are happy to offer top-ranked bone grafting methods in the comfort of our Elk Grove clinic. Call today to learn more.