Bone Grafting for Implants | Tidewater Laser Perio and Implants

Bone grafting procedure for dental implants in jawbone illustration

Do I Have Enough Bone for Dental Implants?

After tooth extraction, a bone graft is often placed to help your body fill in the empty socket with bone stable enough to withstand implant placement. This step will maintain the width and volume of bone you will need for implant surgery several months later.

There may be inadequate bone for implant placement if your tooth was removed many years ago and your bony ridge is extremely thin. In this case, a Ridge Augmentation procedure will be performed around the thin bone and allowed to heal for up to six months. After the graft has fused to your pre-existing bone, the ridge will be re-entered and the implant placed. Bone grafting is usually a relatively comfortable office procedure and there are several different bone-grafting materials available.

You may also need bone grafting if the sinus cavities in your upper jaw are very large, or very low, and extend into the tooth-bearing areas. This often occurs when teeth in the back of a person’s upper jaw have been removed many years before, and the amount of bone available for implant placement is limited. A “sinus grafting procedure” is then required. Most often, it is performed in the office with local anesthesia and perhaps sedation. During this procedure, the membrane that lines the sinus will be located and elevated. Bone will then be added to restore the bone height and ensure that dental implants of an adequate length can be placed. This procedure often can be performed at the time of implant placement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Grafting for Implants

Bone grafting is often necessary to ensure there is enough healthy bone to securely support a dental implant. After a tooth is extracted, a bone graft is frequently placed to help your body fill the empty socket with bone stable enough to withstand implant placement. This step maintains the width and volume of bone you will need for implant surgery several months later. Without adequate bone, an implant cannot achieve the stability required for long-term success. Dr. Cavallari performs bone grafting for implant patients throughout Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads at Tidewater Laser Perio and Implants.

The amount of available bone is evaluated through a clinical examination and detailed x-rays or imaging of your jaw. There may be inadequate bone for implant placement if your tooth was removed many years ago and your bony ridge has become extremely thin, or if the sinus cavities in your upper jaw are large or low and extend into the tooth-bearing areas. Dr. Cavallari will assess your bone volume and density during your consultation and determine whether grafting is needed before implants can be placed.

Ridge augmentation is a bone grafting procedure performed when the bony ridge has become too thin to support an implant — typically because a tooth was removed years ago and the bone has gradually resorbed. During the procedure, graft material is placed around the thin bone and allowed to heal for up to six months. Once the graft has fused with your pre-existing bone, the ridge is re-entered and the implant is placed. Bone grafting is usually a relatively comfortable office procedure, and several different bone-grafting materials are available depending on your needs.

A sinus graft, also called a sinus lift, may be needed if the sinus cavities in your upper jaw are very large or very low and extend into the areas where implants need to be placed. This commonly occurs when upper back teeth have been missing for many years, leaving limited bone available for implant placement. During the procedure — most often performed in the office under local anesthesia and possibly sedation — the membrane lining the sinus is located and gently elevated, and bone is added to restore adequate height. This ensures implants of sufficient length can be placed, and the procedure can often be done at the same time as implant placement.

Bone grafting is generally a relatively comfortable office procedure. It is typically performed under local anesthesia, and sedation options are available for patients who would prefer additional comfort or who are having more involved procedures such as a sinus graft. Some mild soreness and swelling afterward is normal and is managed with medication. Dr. Cavallari will provide post-operative instructions to support comfortable healing.

Several different bone-grafting materials are available, and the most appropriate choice depends on the location, the amount of bone needed, and your individual situation. Grafting materials may come from your own body, from a donor source, from animal-derived sources, or from synthetic materials — all of which provide a scaffold that encourages your body to generate new bone. Dr. Cavallari will discuss which grafting material is best suited to your specific needs during your treatment planning.

Healing time varies depending on the type and extent of the graft. For procedures such as ridge augmentation, the graft is typically allowed to heal and fuse with your existing bone for up to six months before the implant is placed. In some cases — such as certain sinus grafts — the implant can be placed at the same time as the grafting procedure. Dr. Cavallari will outline the expected timeline for your specific situation so you know what to anticipate at each stage.

In some cases, yes. Certain procedures, including some sinus grafts, can be performed at the time of implant placement, which simplifies the overall treatment process. In other situations — particularly when significant ridge augmentation is required — the graft must heal fully before the implant can be placed. Whether your treatment can be combined into fewer appointments depends on the amount and quality of bone present, which Dr. Cavallari will evaluate during your consultation.

Placing a bone graft at the time of or soon after extraction helps preserve the natural width and volume of bone in the socket. When a tooth is removed and no graft is placed, the surrounding bone tends to shrink and resorb over time, which can make future implant placement more complex and may require more extensive grafting later. Grafting early helps maintain the foundation needed for a successful implant down the road, even if you are not yet ready to proceed with the implant itself.

Coverage for bone grafting varies by insurance plan and by the reason the grafting is being performed. Some dental plans, including Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Humana, may provide partial coverage for grafting procedures that are part of a broader treatment plan. Because grafting is often one component of overall implant treatment, our team will review your specific benefits and provide a clear cost breakdown before treatment begins.

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Bone Grafting for Implants in Virginia Beach, VA

Do I Have Enough Bone for Dental Implants?

Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Grafting for Implants

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