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Treatments

Bone Grafting

When there are times where there is insufficient bone for a dental implant or bridge, it is necessary to add additional bone to your jaw. The loss of bone from your jaw may increase over time due to gum disease, injury, dental cavities and infection. Performing a bone grafting procedure will allow for a dental implant procedure to take place.

During the specialist procedure, a small incision is made in your gum to expose the bone beneath it, then the bone graft is added. Bone for this procedure can be donated from other places such as your own body, a donated source or made from a synthetic substance. Over time, the bone graft will be absorbed by your body and replaced by your own bone.

Types of Bone Grafts

AUTOGRAFT

This process involves taking bone from a site in your body and moving it to the recipient site. This process involves creating two surgical sites one from which the bone is harvested and one where it will be deposited.

ALLOGRAFT

This refers to laboratory-processed human bone from a deceased donor that comes from a tissue bank.

XENOGRAFT

This bone grafting material comes from an animal — usually a cow. This process is completely safe for use in human bone grafts and causes no adverse responses. The materials have gone through a series of pharmaceutical treatment for preparation before reaching the surgical table.

ALLOPLAST

This type of graft uses synthetic (man-made) materials. These come in a variety of forms including, powder, granules, putty and even gel, which injected through a syringe. All materials present advantages and disadvantages in their own term, your consultation is where all the discussion in treatment of choice and treatment material of choice take place. 

FAQs

Is the procedure painful?
No. During the procedure you will be under local anaesthetic and possible sedation or happy gas. This will provide favourable relief from both pain and anxiety. After the surgery, mild discomfort is controlled with conventional pain medication.

Can a bone graft fail?
It is very rare and uncommon to experience graft rejection. The success rate for bone grafts in the jaw is very high. Bone grafts are not rejected in the same way that organ transplants can be rejected.

How long does the procedure take?
Most bone grafting procedures usually take anywhere from 60 to 120 minutes.

How long is recovery following surgery?
Full recovery from the surgery takes about two weeks, off-work recommendation is for couple days up to a week. However, it is not a procedure that leaves you bed-bounded. Having said that, Dr Hui is often happy to throw in a medical certificate that spares you from helping out your partner with the dishes for a while.

How long is it until my bone regrows after surgery?
In most cases the waiting time until solid bone mass begins to appear is anywhere from 3 to 6 months.

Enquire
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding with a surgical or invasive procedure, you should seek opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Dr Lizzy Hui
Dr Lizzy Hui
Specialist Periodontist · BDS, DCD (Perio), MRACDS, MBA · Sydney & Newcastle
This information is provided by Dr Lizzy Hui, an AHPRA-registered Specialist Periodontist and Director of Smile Specialists Suite and Kiama Dental Specialists. Read Dr Hui's full profile.

Bone Grafting — FAQs

What is a dental bone graft?
A bone graft rebuilds jaw bone that has been lost or is too thin — most often to create a solid foundation for a dental implant, or to support teeth affected by gum disease. Graft material is placed and, over the following months, your body forms new bone in the area.
Why might I need a bone graft?
Bone can shrink after a tooth is removed, from advanced gum disease, injury, or long-term denture wear. If you'd like an implant where bone has been lost, a graft can restore enough volume for the implant to be placed safely and predictably.
What is bone graft material made from?
Options include your own bone, processed donor or tissue-substitute material, or synthetic graft — all acting as a scaffold for new bone to grow. Dr Lizzy Hui will recommend the option best suited to your case.
Is bone grafting painful, and how long is healing?
The procedure is done under local anaesthetic and is usually comfortable, with mild swelling or tenderness for a few days. New bone formation typically takes several months before an implant is placed, though small grafts done at the same time as an implant can shorten this.
Does a bone graft always work?
Bone grafting is a well-established, predictable procedure with high success rates, particularly with a specialist. Not smoking, good oral hygiene and following aftercare all support healing.

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