When a tooth is lost or removed, the bone that once held the tooth in place begins to resorb (absorb back into the body). The longer teeth have been missing, the more bone loss can occur over time.
The most common type of bone graft for a dental implant is a socket graft. This occurs following an extraction. The procedure places bone directly in the socket where the tooth has been removed. It is often covered with a collagen membrane which protects and stimulates healing.
If there has been extensive bone loss over a broader area from an accident or other trauma then a referral to an oral surgeon may be required to assess the need for other types of grafts.
To place dental implants, you must have enough height and width of bone and it must be in the right location so when the final crown is placed it is functional and aesthetic. Bone grafting is also required around important vital structures (like nerves or sinus cavities), to prevent the implant from damaging these areas.
Within months of losing a tooth, the supporting jawbone suffers from 20 to 50% resorption in vertical height and width which gradually worsens as we age. Once the tooth is lost, the stimulus to remodel and turnover bone is also lost and the jawbone resorbs away.
Bone grafting is the process of adding bone to where you need it in order to facilitate successful dental implant placement. Animal (cow or pig), freeze-dried human bone or synthetic bone graft materials may be used.
After grafting is done, the site will not be ready for implant placement for 4 to 6 months to allow the artificial bone to turn into normal bone. After the extraction the gap is visible when you smile a temporary denture can be made to fill in the loss of your natural tooth while healing occurs.
