Gum disease and tooth loss both lead to bone loss in the jaw. Over time, your jaw can become too narrow or short to support remaining teeth or hold a dental implant. Bone grafting is a procedure where we add bone material to rebuild and strengthen the jaw where it's been lost.
During the procedure, we place bone graft material (which may come from your own bone, a donor, or a biocompatible substitute) in the area that needs rebuilding. Over several months, this material stimulates your body's natural bone-building process, and new bone gradually forms around the graft. This restores the height and width of your jaw.
Bone grafting is often a necessary step before placing dental implants, especially if you've had teeth missing for a while. It can also help preserve bone when you're having a tooth extracted. While the process takes time—typically 3-6 months for full healing—it's a critical investment in your long-term oral health.