At the time of extraction, if an implant is unable to be inserted at that time, bone grafting is recommended to help preserve the volume of the bone in the area of the extraction during your healing phase.
If no graft is placed, the site of the extraction will experience significant resorption of the bone, making it unable to place implants at a later time.
A dental bone graft will add density and volume to your jaw and in areas where a tooth has recently been extracted. In our office, we use bone graft material from a human tissue bank (allograft). In some instances, we may use an animal tissue bank (xenograft) or synthetic graft material (alloplast).
Once the bone graft is placed, it will reserve space for your own body to start the repair work. Think of a dental bone graft as a scaffold on which your very own bone tissue will regenerate and grow.
In some cases, your dentist can combine a dental bone graft with platelet-rich plasma – a sample of which is taken of your own blood to promote both tissue regeneration and healing.
There are a few different types of bone grafts when taking out a tooth:
- Socket preservation: Also known as ridge preservation, this type is placed in the socket right after tooth extraction, filling the void left behind by the missing tooth. It also keeps the sides of the socket from caving in.
- Ridge augmentation: The supporting jawbone is often thinner than it was before if your teeth have been missing for a while. Ridge augmentation will increase the width and volume of the jawbone so it is better able to offer a stable foundation for implants.
- Sinus lift: If the upper back teeth are missing, your sinuses may drop down and occupy the space once taken up by the teeth roots. Placing implants in this case is not advised, as they could penetrate the sinus membrane. A sinus lift will raise the sinus back to its correct position, with a dental bone graft placed underneath to result in a solid foundation for implants.
In most cases, bone grafts must be completely healed before the implant is placed. Everyone is different, so recovery times will vary. In rare instances, your dentist can place a bone graft and dental implant during the same visit. However, this is usually decided on a case-by-case basis.
Once the implant is in, your jawbone will grow around it and eventually become part of your natural gum line. This can take anywhere from three to nine months.
