Create a foundation
for your next smile.
Being told you have bone loss can leave you unsure about replacing a tooth. Bone grafting may help prepare a site for an implant. We will explain whether it belongs in your plan and what alternatives you have.
Why might bone grafting come before an implant?
An implant needs appropriate bone support. The amount and shape of bone at a proposed site can affect where an implant can be placed. Grafting may be considered when the existing ridge does not provide the support required for the plan.
Ridge grafting and sinus augmentation.
Ridge grafting addresses the contour or volume of the jawbone at the treatment site. Sinus augmentation addresses limited bone beneath the sinus in the upper back jaw. These are different procedures; imaging and an examination help determine which, if either, belongs in your plan.
What is the graft material?
A bone graft may use bone or a bone-substitute material. Ask about the source, why it is being recommended and how it will be used. Our practice uses BioHorizons regenerative products, with the specific material selected for the procedure.
Specialist experience, connected to your care.
Dr. Andrew Dreyer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. His training at Wilford Hall Medical Center and UT Health San Antonio, seven years of Air Force service and focus on gums, bone and implants inform the care he provides in Bakersfield.
Understand periodontal specialty careYour questions, answered.
Can grafting and implant placement happen together?
Sometimes they are planned together; in other cases, graft healing comes first. The available bone, the extent of the graft and the implant plan affect the sequence.
Does bone grafting guarantee that an implant is possible?
No. The plan depends on your anatomy and health, and the response to treatment must be assessed. Your doctor can explain the goal, alternatives and what would happen if the site is not ready for an implant.