“What is a bone graft?”

Graft can be made from different materials, ask your dentist which one he is using.

Bone graft is bone material taken from either your own bone, cadaver bone, or synthetic bone. It is used to fill the space when a tooth is extracted or used to expand the space when the bone is insufficient to place the implant. The bone graft keeps the soft tissue from growing in the area, allowing for your own bone to fill in and give a good foundation for the future implant.

Dental bone grafting is a procedure for preservation of tooth sockets. In this procedure, the dentist will graft a section of bone from another area of the patient’s body, or use a special bone grafting material, and graft it onto jaw bone. In the past, without utilizing this technique, the patient would have experienced bone loss and shrinkage of the jaw after losing a tooth. Vertical or horizontal shrinkage of the jaw has harmful consequences, such as problems for replacing the missing teeth, or depression on the facial muscles, which can cause cosmetic problems for the patient.
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It is a misconception if one assumes that bone grafting is needed only in the case of dental implant. While bone grafting is usually required before and during this procedure, but it is not limited to dental implant.....

Usually grafting implants means adding material to thicken bone either to be able to place a longer or wider implant. This means a more stable, sturdy implant and a more predictable, better looking crown (tooth).

A Bone Graft is a the best method to build up the bone that is lost over time. The bone will resorb if there is not an implant or a natural tooth in place. A Bone Graft is also recommended immediately following a tooth extraction/removal as the implant will be a single titanium “screw” and most teeth have multiple roots so those extra spaces left in the bone need to be filled in to build the best foundation for a successful integration of your implant into your bone.

After an extraction it is typical for the socket to lose the bone density and structure so to keep the bone from disappearing we place a bone graft in the socket. The graft provides 2 things....1. the cells that are required to grow bone 2. It also acts like a scaffolding or a lattice for your body's own bone cells and blood vessels build in and around.
After 3 months or later the bone matures and it can have an implant placed in the area.

When placing dental implants, you should ideally have as much bone, both quantity and quality, in the site as possible. Sometimes, there is insufficient bone present as a result of a prior extraction or other injury, and additional bone needs to be made. This is what a bone graft is meant to do. It usually consists of bone producing minerals that enhance new bone growth, or specially treated bone particles from mostly cow bone or sometimes from donated human bone. The gum tissue is reflected and the graft placed along with a barrier covering. Then sutures are used that hold everything together for proper healing. After a healing period of 3 to 6 months the new bone has grown in and the implant can be placed. If you are about to need a tooth extraction, then this is a great time to have a bone graft placed in the empty space left after your tooth is removed. This should occur at the same time as the extraction or shortly thereafter. 

Pier J. Cipriani, DDS, MS 

Bone grafts are used for several reasons. Sometimes we need a wider place to put an implant, sometimes we need to fill in holes in the bone after a tooth is removed. The bone graft helps preserve the bone for several months while we are waiting for the socket to heal.

A bone graft is done to fill in an area to add support. Most bone grafts in dentistry use a material that forms a "frame" so your own bone cells grow in between and around it so it can
form a solid foundation. Depending on your doctor's philosophy, some doctors will wait until your implants are stable before they will recover your implants and complete your case. Depending on your situation, your case may be completed, but you are given instructions to follow until your implants are completely healed. Following you doctor's instructions gives the best result.

I am sure your dentist can go over all types of bone grafting with you and the benefits, risks and alternatives. Don't be afraid to ask question, most dentist are really great about having open conversations with their patients. I am happy to help if you don't get the help you need, but first go to your dentist and ask the questions.

Bone grafting is a procedure used to increase the amount of bone in an area of the jaw when there is not enough existing bone for the proper placement of a dental implant. Since a dental implant is a titanium screw that is inserted into the jaw and fuses with the jaw bone (like a metal weld) during its healing period, there needs to be enough bone to accommodate the screw. In some instances there is not enough bone in a desired implant site for the implant screw to be placed therefore a bone graft will be necessary.

There are three different types of bone grafts categorized by the source of the grafted bone - allograft, xenograft, and autograft. An allograft uses bone from cadavers or living donors (uncommon for dental implants). A Xenograft uses non human tissue, most commonly bovine, and it acts as a calcified matrix. An autograft uses bone derived from the individual receiving the graft, either from a different part of the jaw, or from a different part of the body (usually harvested in the operating room). The most common type of bone graft used for dental implants is a combination of xenograft and autograft, where the implant dentist will graft the area with bovine matrix as well as bone shavings taken from an adjacent area of the jaw to the site being grafted.

Bone grafts are only necessary if there is insufficient bone for predictably safe placement of an implant. A small volume cone beam cat scan, or CBCT Is an imaging tool (3D X-ray) that aids the dentist in determining the quantity of bone in the area where implant placement is desired.

Dr. Ted Gargano, DMD

It is common practice to receive a bone graft in preparation for an implant. There are many types of bone grafts for various situations. In general a bone graft is performed to add bone to a deficient area or to help preserve or enhance the properties of existing bone. An implant needs adequate volume and quality of bone. Bone grafting can greatly increase the long term success of an implant.

A bone graft is bone that replaces the bone that is missing. The graft can be from the patient or from another source. It is placed into the socket creating a matrix for the blood supply to innervate more bone growth. It helps to have nice dense bone for the dental implant to anchor.