Bone Grafting

What Is Bone Grafting?

When teeth are missing, the jawbone in that area can gradually become thinner and lose volume. If enough bone has been lost, there may not be sufficient support for a dental implant or another planned procedure.

Bone grafting is used to strengthen or rebuild areas where the jaw no longer has the amount of bone needed for treatment. The graft creates support in the area and gives the body a foundation for new bone to develop as healing takes place.

For some patients, grafting is an important step before dental implant placement. For others, it may be performed at the same time as another procedure.

Your treatment plan depends on how much bone is present, where the graft is needed, and what type of restoration or surgery is being planned.

Types of Bone Graft Material

Bone From Your Own Body

In some procedures, bone can be taken from another area of your body and transferred to the site that needs additional support.

Smaller grafts may come from another part of the jaw. More extensive reconstruction may require bone from another donor site.

Because the graft comes from your own body, it brings living bone components into the area. The tradeoff is that an additional surgical site is needed to obtain the graft.

Donor Bone

Processed donor bone can also be used for grafting.

This material is carefully prepared for medical use and acts as a framework within the area being treated. Over time, your own bone can grow into and around that framework as healing progresses.

Because the graft material is already available, there is no need for a second surgical site to collect bone.

Animal-Derived Graft Material

Some grafting materials are produced from specially processed animal bone.

These materials are prepared so they can be safely used as a structural framework for bone regeneration. Your own bone gradually develops around the grafted area during healing.

Like donor bone, this approach avoids the need to remove bone from another part of your body.

Other Materials Used in Bone Grafting

Bone grafting does not always rely on one type of material.

Depending on the procedure, your oral surgeon may use processed graft products, synthetic materials, biologic agents, or a combination of materials to create the support needed for healing.

Demineralized Bone Matrix

Demineralized bone matrix is made from processed donor bone.

It contains components naturally found in bone and can be prepared in different forms, such as particles, putty, or gel. It may be used alone or combined with other grafting materials depending on the procedure.

Composite Grafts

Some grafts combine multiple materials into a single treatment approach.

These combinations may include collagen, mineral-based materials, processed bone products, or other components selected to provide structure and support for new bone development.

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins

Bone morphogenetic proteins, commonly called BMPs, are proteins involved in the body’s natural process of forming and repairing bone.

In certain procedures, they may be used to encourage bone development in an area where additional support is needed.

How We Choose the Right Graft

There is no single graft material that is right for every patient.

The best approach depends on several factors, including the size of the area being rebuilt, the location of the graft, how much existing bone is present, your medical history, and whether dental implants are part of the treatment plan.

At Silver Spring Implant & Oral Surgery, your doctor will review your imaging, explain the options that apply to your situation, and recommend an approach based on your specific anatomy and treatment goals.