When you’re missing one or several teeth, your dentist may recommend dental implants to restore your smile and ensure you can chew and speak with ease. Depending on the condition of your jaw, bone grafting may be a necessary part of your restorative treatment plan. If you’re unfamiliar with bone grafting, here’s some helpful information. 

Understanding Bone Grafting

Bone grafting is the process of transferring bone tissue from one area of the body to another. This transplant of natural bone or a synthetic bone substitute can help bones regenerate, fuse together, or heal from injury. 

Why is This Procedure Done?

Grafting is used throughout the body to aid in healing and build bone strength to support surgically implanted devices like joint replacements and screws. In dental care, the jawbone is often targeted for bone grafting if it’s too thin or soft to anchor a dental implant. By grafting additional bone to the jaw, proper support structures are established so that permanent implants can be placed.

Will Bone Grafting Yield Immediate Results?

When planning your implants, your oral surgeon may schedule the grafting procedure several months before your implant surgery. Your oral surgeon will transplant new bone into your jaw, but it can take several weeks or months for the additional bone growth to strengthen your jaw. If only minor bone grafting is required to anchor your dental implants, the procedure may occur immediately prior to implant surgery.

Are you exploring dental implants as a way to restore your smile? If so, Alliance Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery can help. Since opening over a decade ago, this team of experienced oral surgeons has helped patients across Tarrant County, TX, maintain healthy, beautiful, and functional smiles. To schedule a consultation at one of their convenient locations, call today at (817) 741-2200. For more information on their specialties, including bone grafting and wisdom tooth removal, visit their website.