Bone Grafting in Northern Virginia

Bone grafting is a common dental surgery that creates a more solid base for a dental implant. It rebuilds the alveolar ridge of the jaw, which is the bone that surrounds the roots of the teeth. You need that ridge to be a certain width and height to support dental implants or a denture.

Why may bone grafting be needed after an extraction?

The jaw bones hold the teeth in place. If a tooth is missing because of trauma, age, periodontal disease, or decay, the jawbone will begin to recede and the surrounding teeth may drift out of position.

Bone grafting reconstructs the bone so it can support a denture or a dental implant. After a tooth is extracted, the oral surgeon will fill the extraction site with a biocompatible material and then typically cover the area with a thin membrane and a few stitches to hold it in place. After it heals, the oral surgeon can place the dental implant.

Can bone grafting fix mild or even extensive jawbone loss?

New technology has made it possible to rebuild bone in most cases. If a tooth has been missing for a while, the jawbone may have already resorbed. Our oral surgeons can use a combination of materials, possibly including using your own bone taken from another area, to create a bone graft. The graft creates a framework that works like a scaffold so the bone graft materials can attach and generate new jawbone cells. Once the area is completely healed, the oral surgeon can place the implant or implants.

Can a dental implant be placed on the same day as a bone graft?

Our oral surgeon will discuss with you whether the dental implant or an All-on-4® implant-supported denture can be placed on the same day as the bone graft. It is often possible to place a dental implant with a bone graft at the same time, providing there is enough of your own natural bone to help stabilize the dental implant.

This allows new bone to be regenerated simultaneously. And it gives our patients peace of mind knowing they are closer to restoring their smile.