Been Told You Need A Bone Graft?

It sounds scarier than it is! Here’s a little info to put you at ease.

What is bone grafting?

Bone grafting is a minor surgical procedure that is done under local anesthesia to rebuild bone where it has degraded. The bone grafting material is be placed into a tooth socket when a tooth is extracted or in an area where a tooth has been missing for some time. New bone cells will grow and replace the grafting material.

Why would I need a bone graft?

There needs to be adequate bone available to ensure the success of planting a dental implant. We want your implant to last for a long time.

Where does the grafting material come from?

It can come from a variety of sources, including your own body. Lab-processed bone from a human or animal donor (cow) or synthetic materials are frequently used.
The terminology is as follows:
Autografts- This involves bone from your own body, such as from your hip or jaw.
Allografts- This graft uses bone from a different person, usually a cadaver.
Xenografts- This involves bone from another species, such as a cow or pig.
Alloplasts- This deals with synthetic material, such as calcium phosphate or calcium sodium phosphosilicate (Bioglass).

Does this procedure hurt?

Your surgeon will make a small incision in the gum for access to the bone beneath it. You may experience some post-op soreness that we can explain how to manage.

How long does it take to heal?

You should feel back to normal in a couple of days but it will take several months for your body to replace new bone cells and replace the grafting material. If for some reason the appropriate level has not been achieved by the time the graft has healed, your Rockcliff Oral Surgeon can add more grafting material can be added when implant is placed.