Rebuilding jawbone with grafting material so that an implant can be placed securely.
What it involves
After a tooth is lost, the bone can shrink. A bone graft adds material to restore volume. The material can come from you, from a donor, from animal sources or be synthetic. Over months the graft is replaced partly by your own bone.
Who it suits
Considered when there is not enough bone for an implant, or after extraction to preserve a socket. The dentist assesses the bone with a scan and explains whether grafting is needed before or at the time of the implant.
How it usually works
Under local anaesthetic, with sedation if needed, the gum is lifted, the material placed and covered with a membrane, then stitched. Healing takes a number of months before an implant is placed or loaded. Follow-up scans check the result.
Risks and things to consider
Swelling, bruising and discomfort are common. A graft can become infected or fail to integrate, and extra surgery may be required. If a graft fails, the implant plan must change. Taking bone from your own body involves a second surgical site.
Questions to ask before you decide
What material is used and where does it come from? How long must I wait before the implant? What is the plan if the graft does not take?
General information, not medical advice. A dentist decides what suits you after examining you.