Bone grafting

Summary

• After tooth loss, bone becomes both thinner and shorter. A graft aims to regain the volume the implant will sit in.
• The material can be your own bone, processed bone or a synthetic material.
• A small defect can be grafted with the implant in one session. With larger defects the graft comes first and the implant follows later.

Why is bone lost?

After an extraction the bone around the socket remodels and loses volume. Long-term denture wear, gum disease and trauma add to the loss.

In the back of the upper jaw, downward expansion of the sinus causes extra height loss. This is covered under sinus surgery.

Types of graft

Your own bone carries living cells and is usually taken from another part of the jaw.

Processed human or animal bone and synthetic materials act as a scaffold for new bone. Granular graft is usually covered with a membrane. This is called guided bone regeneration.

Choosing the method

Whether the defect is in width or height, and how many teeth it spans, decides the method. This is measured on cross-sectional imaging.

For wide and vertical defects, blocks or thin plates prepared from your own bone may be preferred.

Waiting time

New bone formation and readiness for an implant depend on the material, the method and the site. A wait of several months is common.

A temporary tooth adjusted so that it does not press on the area can be worn meanwhile.

What affects success

Tension-free closure of the wound edges and a graft that does not move in the first weeks are needed for healing.

Smoking and poorly controlled diabetes make it harder for the graft to take. Avoid chewing on that side in the first weeks.

Known risks

Part or all of the graft may fail. Wound opening and infection are known problems.

The donor site may hurt for a few days. Altered sensation is usually temporary and rarely long-lasting or permanent.

Frequently asked

Where does graft material come from?

From your own bone, processed human or animal bone, or a synthetic material. The choice depends on the size and site of the defect.

Can I have an implant without a graft?

If there is enough bone, no graft is needed. With less bone, options such as shorter or narrower implants are also considered. Measurements decide.

How long is the wait after a graft?

It depends on the material and method. A few months is common. Follow-up X-rays guide the decision.

This treatment is carried out at Klinik 29 (Altunizade, Üsküdar). Klinik 29 website (English)

This information is for general guidance and does not replace an examination. Rapidly spreading facial swelling or difficulty swallowing or breathing is an emergency. Go to a hospital emergency department.