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Dental bone graft

If your jawbone needs help supporting your smile for dental restoration treatment, your dentist may recommend a dental bone graft.

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Aspen Dental dentist performing a dental checkup on a patient's teeth, ensuring his oral hygiene and maintaining his dental health.

What is a dental bone graft?

A dental bone graft is a treatment that increases the volume of available bone in your jaw to strengthen your smile. This provides a solid foundation in case you need a dental prosthetic, like implants or dentures

Who should consider a dental bone graft procedure?

Your dentist may recommend a dental bone graft if you’ve ever experienced jawbone loss. Here are a few examples of when this treatment can be beneficial:

Tooth loss

Jawbone atrophy

Periodontal disease

Dental implants or dentures

Bone graft for dental implants

If your jawbones could use a bit of structural support, or if you’re considering dental implants, getting a dental bone graft may be just what your smile needs. Whether you've experienced bone loss due to tooth extraction, gum disease or natural resorption—strong jaws mean you can enjoy healthy chewing, happy conversations and a stronger smile.

During the treatment, bone material is added to stimulate jawbone regeneration. This process helps to anchor the dental implant securely to your jaw.

Types of bone grafts used in orthopedic surgeries to promote bone healing and fusion are: 
Autografts
Allografts
Xenografts
Alloplastic grafts

Types of bone grafts

Depending on what your unique smile needs, your general dentist or oral surgeon will determine which type of bone graft would be best. Speak with your Aspen Dental care team to learn more.

Types of bone grafts:

  • Allografts

  • Autografts

  • Xenografts

  • Alloplastic grafts

Placement of dental bone grafts

Dental bone grafts can be placed in various spots in the mouth to help restore bone volume. These areas include: 

After a tooth extraction, a bone graft may be placed in the socket to preserve the bone structure and provide a stable foundation for future dental implants or prosthetics. 

In cases where the upper jaw lacks sufficient bone height for dental implant placement, a sinus lift procedure can be performed. This involves adding bone graft material to the sinus area, located above the upper jaw, to increase bone volume and create a sturdy foundation for implant placement. 

When the jawbone has experienced significant resorption, ridge augmentation treatment can be performed. Bone grafts are placed along the jaw ridge to rebuild its shape, height and width, allowing for successful implant placement. 

In cases of advanced periodontal disease, bone loss around your teeth can occur. Bone grafts may be utilized to regenerate the lost bone and support affected teeth. 

What happens during a dental bone graft?

There are several key steps to a successful bone graft procedure: 
  • Thorough evaluation by your dentist or oral surgeon

  • Assessment of your oral health, including teeth, gums and jawbone condition

  • Utilization of dental X-rays to gauge the extent of bone loss and determine the best grafting technique

  • Crafting your personalized treatment plan based on the evaluation

  • Defining the graft type, source of graft material and grafting technique

  • Administering local anesthesia to relax you before the surgery

  • Optional sedation methods are available upon request with oral surgeon

  • Performing any additional coping measures to make you as comfortable as possible

Creating a small gum tissue incision to reveal the targeted jawbone area for grafting 

  • Installing a protective membrane over the graft material for added safeguarding and healing support

  • Repositioning gum tissue to conceal the graft site, and closing it carefully with stitches

Your dentist or oral surgeon will share post-operative care instructions with you
Minimize side effects like discomfort, swelling, and bruising using prescribed pain relievers
Potential prescription of antibiotics to prevent infection

Dental bone graft healing stages

The healing stages of a dental bone graft typically follow a sequence: 

Immediate dental care icon: A dental chair on a light blue background, representing quick and urgent dental assistance at Aspen Dental.

Immediate post-op care 

After dental bone graft surgery, it's best to adhere to your dentist or oral surgeon’s post-operative instructions. This can include taking prescribed medications, maintaining good oral hygiene and following any necessary dietary restrictions.

A tooth icon on a light blue background with the words "1 - 2 weeks after" representing early healing stage 1 - 2 weeks after getting a dental bone graft procedure.

Early healing (1-2 weeks) 

The initial healing stage involves the graft material integrating with your natural bone. You may experience some swelling or tenderness.

A tooth icon with a star on it is displayed on a light blue background along with the words "2-4 months after" representing intermediate healing stage following a dental bone graft procedure.

Intermediate healing (2-4 months)

Over the next few months, the graft will continue to strengthen and merge with the existing bone, laying the foundation for dental implants or other restorative work.

A water glass icon with bubbles displayed on a light blue background along with the words "4 - 6 months after" representing advanced healing stage after a dental bone graft surgery.

Advanced healing (4-6 months) 

At this stage, the graft site is well-healed and strong enough to support dental implants or other prosthetics. After six months, the graft site will be fully healed and you should be able to enjoy life as normal.

An Aspen Dental dentist in a white coat is conversing with a patient about her oral health.

Dental bone graft cost

At Aspen Dental, we make quality dental care affordable. This means we provide a more economical dental bone graft cost.

To ensure you’re able to get the treatment you need, we offer our signature Aspen Dental Savings Plan and financing options. Speak with your dentist to learn more.

Dental bone graft FAQs

Signs of dental bone graft failure may include persistent pain, swelling, infection, or delayed healing at the graft site. In cases involving dental implants—mobility or exposure of the implants, as well as the absence of bone growth on X-rays, can also indicate graft complications. If you notice any of these signs, speak with your dental professional for an immediate evaluation.

It's important to follow the care instructions after bone graft surgery to help it heal faster. To best steward your oral health, avoid smoking and consume soft food during the first few days. Getting enough rest, eating nourishing foods and avoiding physical strain can also help you recover faster. Speak with your dentist or oral surgeon to get personalized advice on speeding up your healing process.

A bone graft after a tooth extraction may be necessary to prevent bone loss and provide a stable foundation for future dental procedures, like dental implants. It ensures the preservation or restoration of the jawbone structure and can enhance your oral health and aesthetics.

A dental bone graft typically looks like a granular or powdery material that is placed at the graft site. It is designed to promote new bone growth and may vary in color and texture depending on the type of graft material used.

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Ask about dental bone grafts

If you’re considering getting implants, or if your jaws could benefit from additional bone support, ask your Aspen Dental dentist if they’d recommend a dental bone graft. They’ll create a customized treatment plan to strengthen your smile.

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