Dental implants are a trusted, long-term solution for replacing missing teeth—but their success depends on one key factor many patients overlook: healthy jawbone structure. If the bone in your jaw has deteriorated due to tooth loss, gum disease, or trauma, it may not be strong enough to support an implant on its own.
That’s where bone grafting comes in. This specialized procedure can restore the strength and density of your jawbone, creating a stable foundation for your new dental implant. At Implant & Perio Center of Kansas, our team is here to help you understand how bone grafting works, when it’s needed, and how it can set you up for success with dental implants.
Why Bone Health Matters for Dental Implants
Your jawbone plays a critical role in the long-term success of a dental implant. When a tooth is lost or extracted, the surrounding bone begins to shrink over time—a process known as bone resorption. Without the stimulation from a natural tooth root, the body assumes the bone is no longer needed.
This loss of bone can make it difficult or even impossible to place a dental implant immediately. The implant post needs a strong foundation in order to properly fuse with the bone through a process called osseointegration. Without adequate bone support, the implant may not remain secure over time.
Bone loss in the jaw can happen for several reasons, including:
- Advanced gum disease (periodontitis), which damages bone and soft tissues
- Tooth loss, especially if the tooth has been missing for a long time
- Injury or trauma that affects the jaw
- Developmental defects or medical conditions that limit bone growth
Fortunately, bone grafting can rebuild the bone you’ve lost—creating the stability your dental implant needs.
What Is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that encourages new bone growth in areas of the jaw where bone has deteriorated or is lacking. It involves placing grafting material in the deficient area to support and stimulate the growth of new bone tissue over time.
The grafting material can come from several sources:
- Autograft: bone taken from another part of your body
- Allograft: processed bone material from a human donor
- Xenograft: bone from an animal source, typically bovine
- Synthetic graft: lab-created materials that mimic bone structure
Over time, your natural bone cells grow into the graft material, integrating it into your jaw and rebuilding bone volume where it’s needed most.
How the Procedure Works
The bone grafting process typically includes:
- Initial assessment and imaging – We use diagnostic tools like CBCT scans to measure bone volume.
- Surgical placement of graft material – The area is numbed and the graft is placed precisely where bone is lacking.
- Healing and integration – Over several months, the graft fuses with your natural bone and creates new tissue.
- Preparation for implant placement – Once healed, your jaw will be ready for the dental implant procedure.
When and Why Bone Grafting Is Needed Before Implants
Not every patient needs a bone graft before getting a dental implant. However, if significant bone loss has occurred, grafting is often a necessary step to ensure long-term success.
Common Scenarios That Require Bone Grafting
- Tooth has been missing for a long time, leading to resorption of the surrounding bone
- Infection or trauma damaged the jawbone near the missing tooth
- Gum disease weakened the bone and supporting tissues
- Sinus expansion in the upper jaw where a sinus lift is needed to make space for implants
At Implant & Perio Center of Kansas, our team uses advanced imaging technology to evaluate the health and volume of your jawbone. We assess whether a bone graft is required before we can safely and effectively place a dental implant.
Having enough bone is essential—not just to secure the implant during placement, but to support its function over a lifetime.
How Bone Grafting Improves Implant Success Rates
One of the most important steps in the implant process is achieving osseointegration—the fusion of the implant post with the bone. This fusion allows the implant to act like a natural tooth root, supporting the crown above it.
When the bone isn’t dense or thick enough, the chances of osseointegration decrease. Bone grafting addresses this problem by restoring bone volume and density, giving the implant the foundation it needs to heal properly.
Long-Term Benefits of Bone Grafting
- Increases implant stability – Grafted bone provides strong support for the implant post
- Reduces the risk of implant failure – With proper healing, grafting creates a secure environment for osseointegration
- Restores facial structure – Bone loss can change your facial appearance; grafting can help preserve your profile
- Promotes better function – With a stable implant, you can bite, chew, and speak more confidently
By building up the jawbone, we’re not only preparing the area for a dental implant—we’re setting the stage for a restoration that looks and functions like a natural tooth.
What to Expect During Recovery and Implant Placement
Healing after a bone graft is a gradual process. It typically takes 3 to 6 months for the graft to fully integrate and create strong, stable bone ready for implant placement. The exact healing timeline depends on several factors, including:
- Size of the graft
- Location in the mouth
- Your overall health and healing capacity
- Whether additional procedures (like a sinus lift) were performed
During your recovery, our team will provide personalized guidance on how to care for the surgical site, including diet modifications, oral hygiene, and follow-up appointments to monitor healing.
Once the graft has successfully integrated, we’ll move forward with placing your dental implant. The implant post is surgically positioned in the newly grafted bone and allowed to heal over several months before the final crown is attached.
Throughout this process, our team is committed to making sure you feel informed, supported, and confident about your care plan.
Let’s Take the First Step Together
If you’re considering dental implants but have concerns about bone loss, we’re here to help. Dr. Marq J. Sams and the team at Implant & Perio Center of Kansas have extensive experience in both bone grafting and implant dentistry. We work closely with you to determine the right treatment plan and guide you every step of the way.
You don’t have to let bone loss stand in the way of a healthier, more complete smile. Schedule a consultation with our team today to explore your options and find out if bone grafting is right for you.