What is a dental bone graft?
Why a bone graft is sometimes needed before a dental implant, what it involves, and what recovery is like.
Why bone is lost
After a tooth is lost, the bone that held it slowly shrinks because it is no longer used. Gum disease and injury can also cause bone loss. An implant needs enough bone around it to be stable.
When a graft is needed
Your dentist checks the bone with X-rays or a 3D scan. If there is not enough, a graft can rebuild the area. Sometimes it is placed at the same visit as the implant; sometimes it heals first.
What is used
Graft material can come from your own body, from a donor, from animal sources, or be synthetic. Your dentist will explain which is suitable for you and why.
What happens
The area is numbed, the gum is opened, the graft material is placed, and the gum is closed. Over the following months your body builds new bone into the graft.
Recovery
Some swelling and discomfort for a few days is common. Follow your dentist's instructions on cleaning, medicine and soft foods, and go to your follow-up visits.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. For advice about your own teeth, book a visit.