What is bone grafting for implants?

When jawbone lacks the height or width needed to support a dental implant, surgeons use bone grafting to build up the site. This procedure involves adding bone material to areas where the natural bone has atrophied from tooth loss, gum disease, or injury. The graft material fuses with existing bone over time, creating a stronger foundation for the implant to integrate successfully.

Four main types of bone graft material are used in implant dentistry:

• Autografts use bone from the patient's own body, typically harvested from the jaw, chin, or hip. These offer the highest success rate because the material is living tissue.
• Allografts come from human donors and undergo processing to remove cells and reduce rejection risk.
• Xenografts are derived from animal bone (usually bovine) and are processed for human use.
• Synthetic grafts use lab-manufactured minerals like calcium phosphate or hydroxyapatite that stimulate the body's bone-building response.

The timing depends on bone loss severity. Some grafts are placed months before implant surgery to allow healing, while others are added simultaneously with implant placement. Your implant oral surgeon will assess your jawbone structure and recommend the approach that gives your implant the best chance of long-term stability.