Bone Grafting for Dental Implants: What You Need to Know

Dental implants are an excellent solution for missing teeth, but not all patients have enough healthy bone in their jaw to support the implant. That’s where bone grafting comes in. Bone grafting is a procedure that adds or promotes the growth of bone tissue in the jaw, making it strong enough to support an implant.

Bone loss can occur for several reasons, including tooth loss, gum disease, or trauma. Without enough bone, an implant won’t have a stable foundation, and the procedure may not be successful. In a bone grafting procedure, Dr. Estrada will place grafting material, which could be synthetic or harvested from another area of your body, to stimulate new bone growth.

The healing process for bone grafting can take several months, as the new bone needs time to integrate with the existing jawbone. Once the graft has healed and is strong enough, you’ll be ready for dental implants. While bone grafting may sound intimidating, it’s a routine procedure that significantly increases the success of dental implants.

If you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for dental implants due to bone loss, don’t give up on restoring your smile. Dr. Estrada can evaluate your case and discuss whether bone grafting is a good option for you. With modern techniques, even patients with significant bone loss can enjoy the benefits of dental implants.