A dental implant is only as strong as the bone around it. When the jaw has lost too much volume to hold an implant, a bone graft can rebuild it. At The Center for Oral Surgery of Las Vegas, Dr. Carlos Letelier evaluates your jawbone and explains whether a graft is right for you, which type fits your situation, and how it fits into your overall treatment plan.
A bone graft is a surgical procedure that repairs bone by transplanting healthy bone tissue. The graft gives the body a framework to rebuild bone that is missing, which restores the structure needed to support dental implants or other oral surgery. The procedure is considered minimally invasive, and most patients complete it on an outpatient basis.
Bone grafting is needed when there is not enough healthy bone in the mouth to support an implant or another type of oral surgery. The bone loss can come from several causes:
Timing matters. Bone loss begins as soon as a tooth is gone, so even patients who come in the day a tooth is lost may already have experienced some bone loss. Planning early gives you more options.
The right graft depends on your anatomy and how much bone has been lost. Our team may recommend one of the following.
This is the most common type of bone graft. It is placed right after an extraction to prevent the bone from shrinking before it can begin. Donor bone is placed directly into the socket, which also helps keep the socket from collapsing. Patients can usually move on to their dental implant within four to six months after a socket graft.
This graft increases the width of the jawbone. Donor bone is used for this type of graft.
A block graft is typically used when there are large defects in the jawbone. A small amount of bone is normally harvested from the back of the patient’s own jaw.
Healing is usually about four to six months, though it can take longer if an infection occurs. Every patient is different, and your surgeon will give you an estimate based on the graft you need. Following your aftercare instructions and attending follow-up visits gives your graft the best chance to heal well.
Many patients who want a dental implant also need a graft first so the implant has the support it needs. Once the bone has healed, the implant can be placed. Learn more about dental implants in Las Vegas. If a damaged tooth needs to come out first, see what to expect from tooth removal.
No. A graft is needed only when there is not enough healthy bone to support the implant. An exam and imaging will show whether you need one.
The procedure is considered minimally invasive, and most patients complete it as outpatients. Your surgeon will explain what to expect for your specific case.
After a socket preservation graft, patients can usually have the implant within four to six months. Your surgeon will confirm the timing for you.
Depending on the type of graft, donor bone may be used, or a small amount of bone may be taken from the back of your own jaw.
If you are planning for dental implants or have been told you have bone loss, call The Center for Oral Surgery of Las Vegas at 702.367.6666 to schedule a consultation. We are located at 10115 West Twain Avenue, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89147.
