Bone Grafting for Implants

Do I have enough bone for dental implants?

After tooth extraction, if the walls of the socket are very thick, they will usually fill naturally with bone in two to three months. However, when the walls of your socket are very thin (such as in your upper and lower front teeth), this type of healing will not be as predictable. In select cases, a bone graft may be placed at the time of tooth extraction to help your body fill in the empty socket with bone.  This step may help maintain the width and volume of bone you will need for implant placement several months later.

1. Inadequate Bone

2. Graft Material Placed

3. Implants Placed

There may be inadequate bone for implant placement if your bony ridge is thin.  In this case, a bone graft may be placed on to the thin bone and allowed to heal for approximately four months. After the graft has fused to your pre-existing bone, the ridge will be re-entered and the implant placed. Bone grafting is usually a relatively comfortable office procedure. Many different bone grafting materials are available, including your own bone.

1. Inadequate Bone

2. Graft Material and Implant Placed

You may also need bone grafting if the sinus cavities in your upper jaw are very large, or very low, and extend into the tooth-bearing areas. This often occurs when teeth in the back of a person’s upper jaw have been removed many years before, and the amount of bone available for implant placement is limited. A sinus grafting procedure is then required. Most often, it is performed in the office with local anesthesia and perhaps sedation. During this procedure, the membrane that lines the sinus will be located and elevated. Bone will then be added to restore the bone height and ensure that dental implants of an adequate length can be placed. This procedure often can be performed at the time of implant placement.