Oral Surgery · Washington DC
Why Bone Grafting
Why Bone Grafting
When a tooth is lost, the jawbone beneath it begins to resorb. Within the first year, you can lose up to 25% of bone width at that site. Over time, this bone loss makes implant placement difficult or impossible without grafting.
Bone grafting places biocompatible material at the deficient site. Over several months, your body replaces the graft material with your own natural bone, restoring the volume and density needed for a strong implant foundation.
The Procedure
3D imaging measures exact bone volume and identifies the deficiency. We determine graft type and material based on your specific anatomy.
Under local anesthesia or sedation, the graft material is placed at the deficient site and secured with a membrane that protects it during healing.
Over 4 to 9 months, your body gradually replaces the graft with your own natural bone. We monitor healing with follow-up imaging.
Once the graft has matured, the site is ready for implant placement. A follow-up CT scan confirms adequate bone volume before proceeding.
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