The Role of Bone Grafting in Dental Implant Success

Dental implants are considered state-of-the-art in tooth replacement, offering patients tooth replacements that resemble natural teeth. However, a healthy and strong jaw bone is key to the procedure's success. Thanks to the bone grafting procedure, a periodontist can help patients improve their chances of a successful dental implant procedure.

What is bone grafting?

Dental bone grafting is a type of oral surgery used to increase the volume and density of the jawbone. A periodontist will place natural or lab-created bone grafting material in areas where the jawbone is lost or thinning. This material holds space in the jaw for the body to do repair work. The material acts as a scaffold around which bone tissue can regenerate.

The importance of bone grafting for dental implants

The dental implant procedure

The first step in the dental implant procedure is surgically placing a screw-like titanium post into the jaw bone. After placement, a 3 to 6-month healing period occurs during which the implant integrates into the jawbone in a process known as osseointegration. Once this process is completed, the provider adds an abutment and attaches the final restoration, usually a dental crown, bridge, or denture.

The role of dental bone grafting

For a dental implant procedure to be successful, the implant must be fully anchored and integrated into the jawbone during this 3 to 6-month period. If there is insufficient jawbone to begin with, this process will fail. A dental bone graft can help ensure sufficient jawbone for the implant to integrate into and create a stable base for the restoration.

Who needs dental bone grafting?

From time to trauma or disease, there are several reasons a periodontist might recommend a bone grafting procedure before dental implants. Key reasons include the following.

Patients missing teeth long-term

When teeth are missing for extended periods, the jawbone begins to shrink. This shrinkage is due to the lack of stimulation of the tooth root once provided. While dental implants can stimulate the jawbone again and prevent tooth loss, a periodontist can use bone grafting to build up the jawbone first.

Advanced gum disease

Advanced gum disease or periodontitis causes significant damage to the jawbone and other structures that support the teeth. Therefore, if gum disease has led to significant bone loss, the provider will recommend bone grafting to help ensure there is enough jawbone to support dental implants.

Those with congenitally weak jawbones

Sometimes, patients have a weak jawbone for genetic reasons. For those with naturally weaker jawbones, bone grafting can boost their jawbone strength for the dental implant procedure.

Age-related jawbone decline

Age can significantly affect jawbone loss, especially when missing teeth. It is natural to lose bone, including jawbone, with age. If a patient has suffered too much jawbone loss, a dental bone graft may still make it possible for them to have a successful dental implant procedure.