Dental Restoration & Makeovers

What Happens During a Bone Graft Procedure?

September 13, 2023

Bone grafts in your jaw, sometimes called dental bone grafts, are necessary when you need dental work, but your jawbone will not support it.

For example, for a dental implant to be placed, there must be enough bone in the jaw. When a natural tooth is lost, the body naturally gets rid of the bone surrounding the tooth if it’s not replaced. Therefore, about 50% of patients who get dental implants need a bone graft beforehand, making it a common procedure [1].

During a jawbone graft procedure for dental work, several steps are involved to restore or augment the jawbone. Here’s an overview of what happens during a jawbone graft procedure.

Preparing for Your Procedure With Local Anesthesia or Sedation Dentistry

Generally, a jawbone graft only requires local anesthesia. However, if you have anxiety about the procedure or would prefer a heavier level of sedation, a dentist experienced in sedation dentistry can accommodate you [2]. The procedure will not begin until you are fully numb or otherwise sedated, as per your preference.

Depositing and Securing the Bone Graft

Once you are numb, your dentist or oral surgeon will make an incision in the gums to expose the area of the jaw where the bone graft is required. The incision is typically made inside the mouth, so you won’t have any visible scarring.

The bone graft material can come from various sources—synthetic materials, cadaver bone, or your own bone taken from another area of your body. The graft material is carefully shaped and placed in the area where bone augmentation is necessary, typically using a syringe to deposit the material.

Once the bone is placed, your dentist or oral surgeon will secure it using a membrane or screws before stitching the area back up with dissolvable stitches [3].

After Your Procedure

The entire process generally takes less than 90 minutes. Once the procedure is complete, you can drive yourself home unless you have received dental sedation. The stitches will dissolve on their own within a couple weeks, but be sure to keep any follow-up appointments with your dentist.

Over time, the graft material will stimulate new bone growth and integrate with the existing jawbone. This process typically takes several months. During this healing period, it’s essential to follow your dentist’s instructions regarding oral hygiene, diet, and any prescribed medications.

Once the graft has fully healed and integrated with the jawbone, the dentist or oral surgeon can proceed dental implant placement or other necessary dental procedures, such as bridges or dentures.

Have Questions About Bone Grafting?

The specifics of a jawbone graft procedure can vary depending on your unique smile, and your dentist or oral surgeon will provide you with detailed pre-operative and post-operative instructions to ensure a successful recovery. Have questions about bone grafting for your smile? Don’t hesitate to ask your dentist during your next appointment!