Bone grafting – also known as ridge and sinus augmentation – is a procedure used to build up the bone beneath the surface of the gums. The bones in the upper and lower arch of the mouth are responsible for supporting the teeth. When one or more teeth fall out, bone resorption occurs naturally. When patients decide to replace missing teeth with dental implants, insufficient bone mass can prevent them from qualifying for the procedure. Bone grafting addresses inadequate bone mass by filling in eroded areas with bone harvested from the patient’s own body, or that of a cadaver or animal. The new bone helps promote new bone growth that will eventually support a dental implant.
A dental bone graft is a piece of bone that is attached to your own jaw bone to promote new bone growth and regeneration. The bone may come from your own tissue, human cadavers, animal cadavers, or be synthetic.
You may be a candidate for bone grafts if:
- You are planning to get dental implants or dentures
- You are experiencing bone loss in your jaws
- You have suffered facial trauma
Recovery from dental bone grafts can take up to a week. The most common symptoms following the procedure are pain and swelling which can often be managed by over-the-counter pain medications.
