What is a bone graft?
A bone graft is used to recreate bone and soft supporting tissues lost due to gum disease. It’s also called regenerative surgery.
What to expect during the procedure?
Regenerative surgery is a treatment for the gum disease called periodontitis. People with periodontitis lose gum coverage and bone support around their teeth. Regenerative surgery regrows these lost tissues. The goal of this surgery is to coax the body into rebuilding the bone and other structures that attach a tooth to the jaw. It is done by a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in diagnosing and treating gum disease.
- First, your dentist will separate the gums from your teeth to gain access to the roots and bone.
- The roots will be thoroughly cleaned. The holes (defects) in the bone will be filled in with a graft material.
- Then they will be covered with a physical barrier. Barriers are used to cover the grafting material in the early stages of healing. They also prevent the gums from growing into the bony defect. Barriers are made from human skin, cow skin or synthetic materials.
- After the graft is in place, the gums will be put back over the treated site and stitched into place. The site also may be covered with a bandage known as a periodontal pack or dressing.
During the next six to nine months, your body fills in the area with new bone and soft tissue. In effect, this reattaches the tooth to your jaw.
What to expect after the procedure?
Your dentist will most likely prescribe a pain medicine to be used after surgery. It is important to continue brushing and flossing the rest of your mouth normally. Mouth rinses containing chlorhexidine are also commonly prescribed after periodontal surgery. They slow down the growth of plaque by killing the bacteria and helping your mouth heal. You may also have some swelling after surgery which can be reduced by applying an ice pack to the outside of your face in the treated area.
Understanding the graft investment
A bone graft is often the foundation purchase of implant treatment: it makes the lasting result possible. Costs vary with the graft size and material, all explained before you decide. Insurance sometimes contributes when grafting is medically necessary; our team investigates your plan honestly, and flexible payments keep the full implant journey affordable.
Grafting questions, answered
Does it hurt? The area is numbed; afterward, manageable soreness fades with basic care. How long until the implant? Healing time varies by case; your timeline is mapped at consultation and checked along the way. Where does graft material come from? Several safe, established sources; we recommend what suits your case and explain why. Is it always needed? No, and we will tell you plainly if your bone is already sufficient.
Building foundations in Linden
Great implants stand on great bone. When yours needs reinforcement, the grafting happens here, by our own surgeons, planned from your 3D scan. Foundations first: it is how anything meant to last gets built.
Wondering whether your implant journey needs a graft first? A 3D scan answers definitively. Book your consultation online or call 908-486-5252 to see your own foundation clearly.
Healing well after your graft
Your part in the graft's success is pleasantly simple: follow the aftercare sheet, favor soft foods for the days we suggest, keep the area clean gently, and skip smoking, which slows bone healing considerably. We check your progress at planned intervals, and your 3D imaging lets us verify the new bone is ready before your implant moves forward. Patience here pays in decades.