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ORAL SURGERY & PERIODONTICS BLOG

The Latest on Dental Health, Dental Implants, Periodontics, Oral Surgery and More

How Bone Grafts Help With Dental Implants

If you have a damaged or missing tooth, your dentist may recommend dental implant surgery. Dental implants are surgically inserted in your jawbone where they act in the same way a tooth's root would. Because the metal in these implants is fused directly to your bone, your doctor may recommend a bone graft in order to ensure a healthy connection and that there is enough bone to work with. 

Why Are Bone Grafts Used With Dental Implants?

dental implants in jaw bone graftOur jawbone takes a lot of wear and tear because of the way we use our mouths. Day-to-day chewing can put a lot of pressure on the jawbone, and if the bone can't support your implant, the surgery ultimately won't work. 

In general, dental implants require a high volume of dense bone to be successful. Bone grafts can create a thicker, stronger, and more solid base for the implant.

During a bone graft, a surgeon will use bone from another place on your body (like the ribs, hips, or legs).This material will be grafted directly onto your jawbone, and from there, it's likely that you'll have to wait a few months while the graft creates a new bone on which to secure your implant.

The overall goal of a bone graft is to create a strong base for your implant. Once the bone graft is complete to the approval of your dental specialist, the rest of the implant surgery can be done. 

dental implant screwed into jaw bone graft in mouth teeth

The new dental implant sits in the jaw within the newly grafted bone

When Do You Need A Bone Graft?

Your oral surgeon may recommend that you undergo a bone graft if they think that your jaw bone is too thin or too soft to keep the implants in place. If your jawbone can't support the implant, it can cause the surgery to fail. 

Some reasons people have softer or thinner jawbones are because of periodontal disease, age, or genetic factors. Of course, each case is unique, so it's important to talk to a knowledgeable dental specialist about your options.

The graft will prompt your body to build new, strong bone in the area where it was placed. With a stronger jaw bone, your implant surgery is more likely to be a success. 


If you're looking to improve your smile with an implant or would like to know about other available options, contact us.

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