Do you need to get a dental implant placed in your mouth to replace a missing tooth, but your dentist has said that you need a bone graft? If so, you may be wondering what to expect when getting this procedure done. Here is what you need to know about bone grafts before you get one.

Why Is A Bone Graft Needed?

A dental implant needs a healthy jawbone in order for the implant to be secured in place. Unfortunately, the reason for losing teeth often is due to a deteriorating jawbone. A dentist will recommend that you strengthen the jawbone in order to give that implant the extra support that it needs, or else there is a high chance that an implant can fail. 

A dental bone graft may also be needed if the tooth has been missing for quite some time and the jawbone has lost part of its mass in that area. The dentist will perform the bone graft to strengthen the jawbone and prepare it for a dental implant. 

When is A Bone Graft Performed?

If you need to have a tooth extracted and replaced with a dental implant, it is likely that the dentist will perform the bone graft at the time of the extraction. However, a bone graft can be performed long after the tooth extraction if necessary. This is usually done if the tooth was lost due to trauma or disease, rather than having the tooth removed on purpose.

Where Is The Bone Taken From For The Bone Graft?

It is possible for the bone from a bone graft to be taken from a variety of places from the body. For example, the bone can come from your pelvis area if it needs to come from your body. However, it is possible to get an artificial bone or a bone taken from an animal. Your dentist will make a recommendation for what will work best for your bone graft. 

How Long Does The Bone Graft Procedure Take?

The procedure to have a bone graft placed in your mouth will take about an hour, but can take longer if you have a more complicated bone graft that needs to be placed in your jaw. It can then take several months for the bone to solidify, after which the dentist can install the dental implant.

Have more questions about bone grafts? Ask your dentist during the next visit.