Bone Grafts
A bone graft is a safe and effective treatment to provide support for dental implants.
When teeth are lost, the jawbone wears away and is resorbed to a thin shelf. This bone loss often results in a condition in which there is not enough bone suitable treatment any other than dentures and partials.
In order to gain back the strong foundation that is lost or fill in a socket after a tooth extraction, Cleveland Smile Center can provide a bone graft. This procedure will help your jawbone stay strong throughout the rest of your life and support your titanium dental implants.
What is bone grafting?
With today’s technology we are able to harvest cadaver bone from a ‘bone bank’ in order to replace the missing bone and reinforce the natural of your jaw. This bone graft material also reduces the chance of infection during dental surgery.
After the initial graft procedure, it may take several months for the grafted bone to grow strong enough to support future dental work such as placement of a dental implant.
Once the jawbone does heal, the dental implant process moves forward in order to replace your missing teeth
Questions Our Patients Ask
Q: Why would I need a bone graft — is something wrong with my jaw?
A: Not at all! When a tooth is lost or removed, the jawbone in that area can gradually shrink over time since it no longer has a tooth root to support. A bone graft simply rebuilds that foundation so your jaw stays strong and healthy — think of it as giving your smile a solid base to build on.
Q: Is getting a bone graft going to be painful?
A: We completely understand why that’s on your mind, and the good news is most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the process is. We make sure you’re numb and at ease throughout the procedure, and any soreness afterward is usually mild and manageable with over-the-counter relief.
Q: How long does it take to heal after a bone graft?
A: Healing time can vary from person to person, but in most cases the graft matures and bonds with your natural bone over a few months. During that time, your jaw is quietly doing the hard work, and our team will check in with you along the way to make sure everything is progressing beautifully.
Q: Do I really need a bone graft before getting a dental implant, or can we skip it?
A: If there isn’t enough bone to securely hold an implant in place, skipping the graft could put your whole implant at risk down the road. The graft is what gives your implant the sturdy, lasting foundation it needs — and we’ll always use advanced imaging to evaluate your bone first so we only recommend it when it’s truly necessary.
Q: Where does the bone used in a graft come from?
A: That’s a great question! Bone graft material can come from a few different sources — sometimes it’s a safe, processed donor material, and other times it may come from your own body. Our team will walk you through the best option for your specific situation so you feel fully informed and confident before we begin.
Have a question? Reach out to us!