Bone Grafting

When bone structure is missing, reconstructive surgery can add to existing bone. A tissue that is transplanted to become part of your body is known as a “graft.” Bone grafting is done in dentistry to build a solid foundation for dental restorations.

Frequently Asked Questions 


1. What materials are involved in Bone Grafting? 


Different types of materials are used in bone grafting. 


Examples include: 


  • Your own bone taken from one part of your body, the “donor site,” and moved to another part of your body, the ‘’graft site”
  • Bone taken from another person which is then sterilized and freeze-dried before being placed into your body
  • Bone taken from an animal, usually a cow, which is then sterilized and freeze-dried before being placed into your body
  • Synthetic and other materials 


Your dentist will advise you on which type of graft material will most effectively build bone in your situation.


2. What are the benefits of Bone Grafting? 


Certain dental restorations, such as implants, may not be possible without bone grafting. Bone grafting increases the amount of bone available to support these restorations and to build your jaws and gums into a more ideal form. 


3. What are the risks of having Bone Grafting? 


Bone grafting procedures involve minor to moderate pain as well as the risk of infection to both the graft site and the donor site. There is also the risk of your body rejecting the bone graft and setting up an infection around it. When this occurs, the area must be cleaned and another bone graft must be done once the site has healed. Even when the bone heals well, grafting may need to be done more than once to build enough bone thickness for your dental restoration. 


4. What are the alternatives to having Bone Grafting? 


The alternative is to do nothing. Implants may not be possible and alternate dental treatments may not be as stable or comfortable.


5. Are there any post-treatment limitations once I have a Bone Graft? 


After treatment you must be careful not to chew near or disturb the surgical site. As with any wound healing, a faster result with fewer complications will occur if the surgery sight is left unharmed. Once the bone graft has healed the area can be treated normally.

Frequently Asked Questions 


1. What materials are involved in Bone Grafting? 


Different types of materials are used in bone grafting. 


Examples include: 


  • Your own bone taken from one part of your body, the “donor site,” and moved to another part of your body, the ‘’graft site”
  • Bone taken from another person which is then sterilized and freeze-dried before being placed into your body
  • Bone taken from an animal, usually a cow, which is then sterilized and freeze-dried before being placed into your body
  • Synthetic and other materials 


Your dentist will advise you on which type of graft material will most effectively build bone in your situation.


2. What are the benefits of Bone Grafting? 


Certain dental restorations, such as implants, may not be possible without bone grafting. Bone grafting increases the amount of bone available to support these restorations and to build your jaws and gums into a more ideal form. 


3. What are the risks of having Bone Grafting? 


Bone grafting procedures involve minor to moderate pain as well as the risk of infection to both the graft site and the donor site. There is also the risk of your body rejecting the bone graft and setting up an infection around it. When this occurs, the area must be cleaned and another bone graft must be done once the site has healed. Even when the bone heals well, grafting may need to be done more than once to build enough bone thickness for your dental restoration. 


4. What are the alternatives to having Bone Grafting? 


The alternative is to do nothing. Implants may not be possible and alternate dental treatments may not be as stable or comfortable.


5. Are there any post-treatment limitations once I have a Bone Graft? 


After treatment you must be careful not to chew near or disturb the surgical site. As with any wound healing, a faster result with fewer complications will occur if the surgery sight is left unharmed. Once the bone graft has healed the area can be treated normally.

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