Dental Bone Grafting

Dental bone grafting helps restore the foundation of your smile when bone loss has occurred around missing teeth.

What Is Dental Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting is used to rebuild or strengthen areas of the jaw that have lost bone tissue. When a tooth is missing, the surrounding bone begins to shrink over time because it’s no longer stimulated by the tooth root. 

A dental bone graft replaces this lost bone with natural or synthetic material that encourages new bone growth and restores stability for dental implants or other restorations.

Bone grafting may be recommended if you:

• Have bone loss from missing teeth, gum disease, or trauma
• Are preparing for dental implant surgery
• Need to preserve bone after a tooth extraction

Types of Bone Grafts

There are several types of dental bone graft materials, each chosen based on your unique needs and oral health condition:

• Autografts: Bone is taken from another area of your own body (often the jaw or chin). Because it contains your own living cells, it integrates naturally and promotes strong, healthy bone growth.
• Allografts: This type uses sterilized human donor bone. It is safe, effective, and eliminates the need for a second surgical site. Allografts are commonly used for implant preparation and ridge preservation.
• Xenografts: Derived from animal bone (most often bovine), xenografts act as a natural scaffold for new bone growth. 
• Synthetic grafts: Made from biocompatible materials, synthetic grafts mimic the structure of natural bone and stimulate regeneration. These are often used in combination with other graft types for optimal healing and stability.

Types of Bone Grafting Procedures

The type of bone grafting procedure we recommend is selected based on where bone loss has occurred and how much support is needed. We will evaluate factors such as bone quality, sinus position, and implant location to determine what procedure will achieve the best results.

Ridge Augmentation

Ridge augmentation restores the natural contour of the jaw and gum ridge, typically after a tooth extraction. The procedure uses bone grafts to rebuild lost height and width, often in preparation for dental implants or to improve aesthetics. Soft tissue grafts may also be used to enhance gum appearance.

Sinus Augmentation (Sinus Lift)

A sinus augmentation, or sinus lift, is a dental surgery that adds bone to the upper jaw when there isn’t enough for a dental implant. The procedure involves gently lifting the sinus membrane and placing bone-grafting material in the space, creating a stable foundation for implants in the back of the mouth.

Socket Preservation

After a tooth extraction, socket preservation fills the empty tooth socket with bone graft material to prevent rapid bone loss. This helps maintain the ridge shape and density, creating an ideal foundation for future dental implants or bridges.

Combination of Bone Grafting and Implants

In some cases, bone grafting and dental implant placement can be completed in a single visit, depending on the quality of your existing bone. Combining procedures can shorten the overall treatment timeline and reduce the number of surgeries required. Your periodontist will determine the best bone grafting schedule for long-term success.

What to Expect During Treatment

Treatment depends on how much bone needs to be rebuilt and where the graft is placed, which also affects the overall healing timeline. Smaller grafts may heal within a few months, while more advanced cases can take longer for complete bone regeneration. 

Most patients follow a similar process:

1. Consultation and planning: We begin with a detailed evaluation of your bone structure using CBCT imaging and digital scans. This allows us to determine the best type of graft and placement technique for your case.
2. Graft placement: The grafting material is placed in the targeted area of the jaw. A protective membrane may be used to guide healing and prevent soft tissue from entering the site.
3. Healing and bone growth: Over the next few months, your body naturally replaces the grafting material with new bone tissue, creating a stable foundation for future implants or restorations.
4. Follow-up visits: We will monitor your healing progress through follow-up appointments to ensure proper integration and healthy bone development.

This approach supports predictable healing, strengthens the jawbone, and prepares the site for long-term implant success.

Dental Bone Graft Healing Timeline

Healing time varies by patient and is dependent on the extent of the graft. Early healing occurs within the first two weeks, while full integration and bone growth can take several months. During this time, the graft material is gradually replaced by your own bone cells.

To promote recovery:

• Follow all aftercare instructions carefully
• Avoid smoking tobacco or marajuana, vaping, and strenuous physical activities
• Maintain good oral hygiene without disturbing the surgical site
• Attend follow-up appointments to monitor bone graft healing stages

Once healed, the area will have sufficient bone density and structure to support a dental implant or bridge restoration.

Why Patients Choose Periodontal Associates

For over 50 years, patients across Centennial and Aurora, CO, have trusted our practice for advanced periodontal and implant care. Our specialists combine experience, technology, and compassionate care to provide predictable, lasting results.

Patients choose us because we:

• Perform most types of bone grafting and implant procedures in-house
• Use CBCT imaging and digital planning for precise results
• Offer comprehensive care for complex and challenging implant cases
• Provide a warm, patient-centered experience focused on safety and long-term oral health

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