Bone Grafting

Missing teeth can cause your jawbone to atrophy, resulting in a sunken appearance. Bone grafting rebuilds the jaw density, allowing you to qualify for dental implant placement. Learn how Dr. James M. Stein in Boston, MA, can help you restore your oral health with bone grafting.

What is Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting is a dental procedure that addresses bone loss in the jaw. A bone graft adds volume and density to strengthen the jawbone, which allows patients to qualify for dental implant surgery.

Jawbone atrophy can occur following tooth loss. The jawbone relies on the stimulation the tooth roots provide to remain healthy. When a patient loses a tooth, the bone no longer has that stimulation. Dental implants can stop the degenerative process, prevent further bone loss, and support restorations such as dental crowns, bridges, and dentures. However, implants require sufficient bone material to graft to. Bone grafting can provide this solid foundation.

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How Bone Grafts Work

Tissue is harvested from another area of your body or from a donor. Our Boston practice can also use synthetic tissue. The new bone creates a solid foundation for implants to fuse to, a process called osseointegration.

Benefits of Bone Grafts

Dental Implant Candidacy

Patients with jawbone atrophy often do not qualify for dental implants. The bone grafting procedure builds the jaw back up, providing sufficient tissue for dental implants to fuse to.

Restored Function

Because bone grafting helps patients qualify for implant placement, it can help restore their oral function. Dental implants paired with a custom restoration fill in the gap left by missing teeth so you can eat and speak confidently once more.

Restored Oral Health

Bone deterioration can put you at risk for further tooth loss, because teeth near the gaps in your smile are destabilized. Bone grafting paired with dental implants can repair the damage and prevent further bone loss, helping preserve your oral health for years to come.

Bone Graft Surgery

Your comfort is our priority: we start by thoroughly numbing the treatment site with local anesthesia, and offer sedation options for patients who want extra help relaxing.

Planning

We'll plan your surgery during a consultation at our Boston practice. Dr. Stein will use advanced diagnostic technology, such as a digital 3D scanner, to evaluate the structure of your jaw, then uses these scans to precisely plan your bone graft.

Anesthesia

Dr. Stein will begin your surgery by administering local anesthesia. For those that need an extra level of comfort care, we also offer sedation options to ensure you are completely comfortable during your procedure.

Tissue Harvesting

A small incision is made at the donor site. This is usually a healthy area in your mouth. Dr. Stein also uses tissue from a donor or synthetic material. This donor material is prepped.

Graft Placement

A small incision is made in the area of bone loss, and the graft tissue is put in place. Dr. Stein will secure the bone graft and suture the area closed.

Healing

Over the next few months, the graft will integrate into the existing bone. Once you are fully healed, you can then move forward with dental implant placement.

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Hear Why Boston, MA, Chooses Our Practice

Extremely happy with the outcome of my treatment! Dr. Stein is amazing and will make sure you feel 100% comfortable with the treatment. Also super transparent about every step and every detail. 10/10 would recommend!

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As a fellow clinician, I know that reviews are often a source of anguish, so it’s my honor to give a 10 STAR Review to doubly cancel out any naysayers... I literally cried when I saw the final outcome I now smile with confidence & the knowledge my smile is perfect!

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