Dental implants:
Bone grafting
Bone grafts are sometimes required before you have an implant placed. We know this may sound daunting, but it’s a fairly common procedure.
A dental implant is placed directly into your jawbone, so there needs to be enough bone to hold it in place for the implant to be successful. If there isn’t, a bone graft ensures you have a solid base for your implant.
What is a bone graft?
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure to replace bone that surrounds the root of a tooth, making it possible for you to have an implant if you don’t have enough natural bone in your jaw. The material can be bone taken from another part of your jaw, somewhere else in your body or from synthetic material.
Unlike some other types of body tissue, bone can regenerate in the right conditions. A graft makes this process possible, while helping to hold your implant and existing teeth in place. Over time, your own bone will grow to replace the graft material.
Once the site around the graft has successfully healed, and providing you don’t need any other supporting treatments, you’ll be ready to have your implant placed.
How do I know if I’ll need a bone graft?
Your dentist will advise you on whether you need a bone graft when you visit them for a consultation. There are many reasons why you may not have enough bone to hold an implant securely in place, but you might need a bone graft if:
- Your teeth are loose or unstable, or you suffer from gum disease. Gum disease can break down gum and bone tissue
- You had a tooth extracted some time ago. The gap left following an extraction can sometimes affect the teeth on either side and the bone can begin to deteriorate
- You’ve had lots of infections in your mouth. This can lead to bone loss over time
- You’ve had an injury to your mouth. The impact could have led to bone loss
Are different methods used for bone grafting?
There are various methods used for bone grafting. These include:
Onlay bone graft
This method is usually used if you lost a tooth a long time ago. Your dentist or surgeon will apply the graft to the side or on top of your existing bone. You’ll be given time to heal and to allow your own bone to grow into the graft before your implants are placed
Block bone graft
Here, small blocks of bone are fitted into the area that needs to be strengthened and secured with bone screws. Once the site of the bone graft has healed, the screws are removed, and your implants can be placed
Are there different types of bone graft?
There are a number of types of bone grafting, which include:
Socket preservation
If you need to have a tooth removed before having your implant placed, your implant dentist or surgeon will fill the socket that remains after extraction with graft material to prevent the jawbone in that area losing thickness. If socket preservation isn’t done when your tooth is taken out, the bone will degenerate within weeks of the extraction. This can affect your appearance and you might have to have other procedures later down the line
Guided bone regeneration
This is where a space is made between your gum and jawbone, and a collagen membrane is placed along the gum to ensure that gum tissue does not grow back into the space. Tiny particles of bone-grafting material are placed in the space created to encourage new bone growth. Collagen is a natural substance and the membranes are absorbed by your body within three months
Block bone graft
This is undertaken to restore the natural shape of your jaw when you have severe bone loss. This procedure usually uses bone taken from another part of your own jaw
Ridge preservation
The section of the jaw containing the sockets for the roots of your teeth is called the alveolar ridge. If this ridge is too narrow, it will split, and a graft will be placed within the gap to widen it. Your new implant can usually be inserted immediately into your new ridge following the procedure
All our implant dentists have undergone further postgraduate training and are fully qualified to offer implant treatment. At your consultation, your dentist will decide what type of graft you’ll need and talk you through what will happen during the procedure.
More about bone grafting and implants
Find detailed information on how to look after your bone graft, information about other supporting treatments and answers to your frequently asked implant questions.
Aftercare for bone grafts
All the information you need to look after your bone graft.
Supporting treatments
There are other supporting treatments for implants, including sinus lifts.
Dental implant FAQs
All the answers to your frequently asked questions about dental implants.
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