Why bone can be lost
After a tooth is removed, the surrounding ridge no longer receives the same stimulation and can shrink over time. Disease and injury can also create defects that make implant placement difficult.
How grafting helps
Graft material provides a framework for the body to form new bone. Material may come from a tissue bank or, for larger reconstructions, from another area of the patient’s jaw or body.
Common grafting approaches
Socket preservation supports the ridge after extraction. Ridge augmentation restores a thin or irregular site. In the upper back jaw, a sinus lift can create bone height beneath the sinus membrane. A block graft may be considered when a larger, more defined area of bone needs to be rebuilt.
Healing and implant timing
The graft is placed and protected while new bone matures. Depending on the defect and treatment plan, healing may take roughly six to nine months before implant placement or restoration proceeds.