What Is Bone Grafting for Dental Implants?
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that rebuilds or augments the jawbone in areas where bone has been lost due to tooth extraction, periodontal disease, trauma, or prolonged tooth absence. Adequate bone volume and density are essential for successful dental implant placement. When the jaw lacks the necessary foundation, bone grafting restores it, creating a solid base that can reliably support an implant for the long term.
Bone Grafting for Dental Implants: Quick Facts
| Quick fact | Typical answer |
|---|---|
| Number of visits | 1 procedure, plus follow-up |
| Time needed | 45 to 90 minutes |
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia, with sedation available |
| Recovery time | About a week |
| Ready for an implant | After 3 to 9 months |
These are typical ranges. Your own plan is confirmed after an examination.
Who Needs a Bone Graft Before Implants
An implant needs to be surrounded by bone on all sides. When a tooth has been missing for some time, or was lost to infection, the bone is often too thin or too short and must be rebuilt first.
- A tooth missing for a year or more
- A tooth lost to gum disease or an abscess
- A 3D scan showing thin or low bone
- Dentures worn for many years
- An injury or a difficult extraction that damaged the socket
Bone Grafting for Dental Implants at Bensonhurst Dental Care
At Bensonhurst Dental Care, bone grafting procedures are performed by Dr. Geoffrey Rubinshtein, whose advanced training in periodontics includes extensive experience in hard tissue regeneration and augmentation. The procedure involves placing biocompatible grafting material into the deficient area, where it serves as a scaffold for the body’s natural bone regeneration. Over time, the graft integrates with the existing bone, creating new, healthy tissue capable of supporting an implant.
What to Expect, Step by Step
- 3D imaging. The amount and shape of bone needed is measured.
- Numbing. Local anesthesia is given, with sedation where appropriate.
- Graft placement. Graft material is placed and shaped at the site.
- Membrane. A membrane covers the graft and the gum is closed.
- Healing. New bone forms over three to nine months.
- Re-evaluation. A scan confirms the site is ready for an implant.
Grafting procedures used in implant dentistry
| Procedure | Where | Typical healing before the implant |
|---|---|---|
| Socket preservation | An extraction socket | 3 to 6 months |
| Ridge augmentation | A narrow or low ridge | 4 to 9 months |
| Sinus lift | Upper back jaw | 4 to 9 months |
| Minor graft at implant placement | Around the implant | Heals together with the implant |
A graft adds months to treatment and years to the life of the implant.
Recovery and Aftercare
After surgery
The first 24 hours
- Bite on gauze and use cold packs
- Do not pull your lip to look at the site
- Eat soft foods on the other side
The following days and weeks
- Avoid pressure on the area, including from a denture, unless it has been adjusted
- Do not smoke
- Use the prescribed rinse and attend reviews
When to Call Us
Call the office on (718) 234-3434 if you notice any of the following:
- Large amounts of graft material come out
- The membrane becomes exposed
- Pain, swelling or pus develops
Graft Materials and Related Procedures
Several types of grafting material may be used depending on the case, including the patient’s own bone, donor bone, or synthetic materials. Dr. Geoffrey selects the most appropriate option based on the size and location of the defect, the patient’s health, and the planned implant treatment. Bone grafting can be performed as a standalone procedure or in conjunction with tooth extraction through socket preservation to prevent bone loss from occurring in the first place.
Bone grafting is also commonly paired with sinus lifts for upper jaw implants and ridge augmentation for cases where the width or height of the ridge needs to be rebuilt. These procedures are all part of the comprehensive implant planning process that ensures every patient has the best possible foundation before an implant is placed.
Cost and Insurance
Implant treatment is priced in stages: the surgery, any grafting that is needed, and the teeth that are attached. You receive a written plan that lists each stage before treatment starts.
What affects the cost
- The number of implants
- Whether bone grafting or a sinus lift is needed
- The type of restoration: a crown, a bridge or a full arch
- 3D imaging, surgical guides and sedation, where used
Coverage for implants varies widely between plans. Some cover the crown but not the implant, and some have a yearly maximum. Our team can check your benefits and explain your options before treatment begins.
