What is a bone graft in dentistry?

A bone graft is a surgical procedure in which bone material is placed into areas of the jaw where bone density or volume is insufficient to support a dental implant. When tooth loss, gum disease, or injury causes bone resorption, the jaw may not have enough structure to anchor an implant securely. A bone graft builds up the jaw so that an implant can integrate properly and function long-term.

Several types of graft material are used depending on the patient's needs and the extent of bone loss:

• Autografts use bone harvested from the patient's own body, typically from the chin, hip, or jaw. These are considered the gold standard because they contain living cells that promote bone growth.
• Allografts come from donated human bone, processed and sterilized for safety. They integrate without adding new bone cells from the patient.
• Xenografts are derived from animal bone (usually bovine) and serve primarily as a scaffold for the patient's own bone to grow into.
• Alloplasts are synthetic bone substitutes made from ceramics or other biocompatible materials.

The graft typically requires several months of healing before the jaw is ready for implant placement. Many patients with moderate to significant bone loss need grafting to become candidates for implants. Oral surgeons in the area offer bone grafting as part of comprehensive implant planning to ensure the best foundation for long-lasting results.