Strengthening the Support for Your Smile
Periodontal (gum) disease is a leading cause of bone loss in the mouth. Bone grafting helps replace missing bone and supports your body’s natural healing—often creating a stronger foundation for dental implants, helping treat bone defects caused by gum disease, and improving the shape and aesthetics of the gum and bone tissues.
Common Types of Bone Graft Materials
- Autogenous (autograft) – Bone is taken from another area of the patient’s own body and placed where bone is needed. Common donor sites include the chin, back of the lower jaw (ramus), or areas near wisdom teeth. Larger grafts may require bone from sites such as the iliac crest (hip) or tibia (shin).
- Allograft—Bone graft material from a human donor (obtained through regulated tissue banks). It is processed and sterilized for safety and is commonly used in periodontal and implant procedures.
- Xenograft—Bone graft material derived from another species (most commonly bovine). Xenografts have a long history of successful use and often act as a scaffold for new bone formation.
Note: A fourth category you may hear about is alloplast, which refers to synthetic (man-made) graft materials.
Why Might Bone Grafting Be Recommended?
1) Around Existing Teeth (Guided Tissue Regeneration—GTR)
With advanced gum disease (periodontitis), bone supporting the teeth can be lost over time. In appropriate cases, bone grafting—sometimes combined with barrier membranes and/or biologic growth factors—may help regenerate lost supporting tissues and improve long-term tooth stability.
2) Dental Implants
Implants must be securely anchored in bone. If there isn’t enough bone volume or density, grafting can strengthen the implant site and improve the likelihood of a successful outcome.
3) After a Tooth Extraction (Socket grafting)
Following an extraction, the jawbone can shrink as it heals. A socket graft helps preserve bone volume, which can be important for future implant placement and aesthetics.
4) Sinus Lift (Upper back teeth)
In the upper posterior jaw, the sinus may limit available bone height for implants. A sinus lift gently raises the sinus membrane and adds graft material to create enough bone for secure implant placement.
5) Ridge Augmentation
Bone defects from trauma, tooth loss, gum disease, or developmental factors can leave the ridge too narrow or collapsed. Ridge augmentation rebuilds bone volume to improve support for implants and enhance appearance.
What Does Bone Grafting Treatment Involve?
- The area is thoroughly numbed (and sedation may be available when appropriate).
- A small incision is made in the gum tissue, and the tissue is gently lifted to access the underlying bone.
- The grafting material is placed and stabilized as needed.
- The gum tissue is sutured closed, and a follow-up visit is scheduled to monitor healing.
What Can Supplement Bone Regeneration?
- Guided tissue regeneration (membrane/barrier): A thin barrier may be placed over the graft to protect the site and create space for your body to regenerate healthy bone and tissue.
- Tissue-stimulating biologics: Products such as enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain®) may be applied to support healing and regeneration in certain periodontal cases.
- Platelet-rich preparations (PRP/PRF): Concentrated platelets derived from a small blood sample can be used to support healing and may enhance the quality and speed of regeneration in some situations.
Call our office today at (818) 584-1841 to schedule a consultation and learn whether bone grafting can help support your smile and oral health.