Bone Grafting: Building the Foundation for Implants

When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it begins to shrink — a process called bone resorption. Within the first year after tooth loss, you can lose up to 25% of bone width in that area. This is why timing matters when considering dental implants: the longer you wait after losing a tooth, the less bone may be available to anchor an implant. Bone grafting solves this problem.

What Is Bone Grafting?

A bone graft is a surgical procedure that adds bone material to your jaw to rebuild volume and density. The new bone material serves as a scaffold that your body's own bone cells grow into over time. Eventually, your body replaces the graft material with your own natural bone — creating a solid foundation for a dental implant.

Types of Bone Graft Material

Autograft: Bone taken from your own body (usually the chin, back of jaw, or hip). The gold standard because it contains living cells, but requires a second surgical site. Allograft: Processed donor bone from a human bone bank — the most commonly used type, eliminating the need for a second surgery. Xenograft: Processed animal bone (most commonly bovine). Alloplast: Synthetic bone substitute. Your surgeon will recommend the best type based on the size of your defect and your specific situation.

The Healing Process

Bone grafts typically require 3–6 months of healing before an implant can be placed. During this time, the graft integrates with your existing bone. The area will be tender for a week or two after surgery, and you'll eat a soft diet during initial healing. Most patients are surprised by how manageable the recovery is.

Socket Preservation

The best time to place a bone graft is immediately after a tooth extraction — a procedure called socket preservation or ridge preservation. By filling the extraction socket immediately, you prevent the bone loss that would otherwise occur and maintain the volume needed for an implant. If you know you'll eventually want an implant, ask your dentist about socket preservation at the time of extraction.