Bone Grafting
DO THEY BONE GRAFT FOR TEETH?
Huntersville (Charlotte Metro), NC
How bone grafting rebuilds the jaw to support dental implants and long-term oral health
How bone grafting rebuilds the jaw to support dental implants and long-term oral health
Yes. Bone grafting is a routine procedure performed when someone has lost one or more teeth and the jawbone in that area has lost density as a result. Bone grafts are most often performed to create a stable foundation for a dental implant, though they're also used to treat bone loss from periodontal disease. At Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery, Dr. Raymond J. Haigney II, FACS performs bone grafting on an outpatient basis for patients throughout Huntersville and the Charlotte metro, using sedation options that keep the procedure comfortable from start to finish.
Dental implants are the most predictable long-term solution for a missing tooth because they look, feel, and function like a natural one. That reliability depends entirely on the jawbone. An implant is placed using a titanium post that fuses with the surrounding bone over several months, a process called osseointegration, and that fusion is what anchors the replacement tooth permanently.
The problem is that jawbone starts to deteriorate almost immediately after a tooth is lost. Without a root transmitting chewing forces into that section of bone, the body stops maintaining it and begins to resorb it. The longer a tooth stays missing, the more bone is lost, which is why patients who wait years to replace a missing tooth often need a bone graft before an implant can be placed safely.
While implant support is the most common reason for a bone graft, it isn't the only one. Dr. Haigney also recommends bone grafting for patients with:
Bone grafting is a minor outpatient procedure, and most patients are back to normal activity within a few days. During the procedure, Dr. Haigney makes a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the area of the jawbone that needs rebuilding, then places graft material directly onto the existing bone. Over the following weeks, your own bone cells grow into and fuse with the graft, gradually building up density and volume in the treated area.
Total healing time ranges from about two weeks to two months depending on the size of the graft and your individual healing response. Smaller grafts placed alongside an implant may heal concurrently with the implant itself, while larger grafts are typically given time to mature before an implant is placed.
Not all bone grafts use the same source material. Depending on your anatomy and preferences, Dr. Haigney may recommend:
Dr. Haigney reviews your 3D imaging and discusses which option best matches the size of the defect, your healing profile, and your treatment timeline.
Most patients describe the recovery as far more manageable than they expected. The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia or sedation, and post-operative discomfort is typically controlled with over-the-counter pain medication. Mild swelling and tenderness in the first few days is normal and subsides quickly with rest and a soft-food diet.
If your dentist has told you that you need a bone graft before an implant, it isn't a sign that anything went wrong. It simply means the jawbone needs a bit of extra support before it can safely anchor a new tooth. It's an extremely common step, and skipping it in favor of placing an implant into inadequate bone risks implant failure down the road.
Depending on how much bone needs to be rebuilt, a bone graft can sometimes be placed at the same time as the implant itself, particularly when the defect is small. Larger grafts, however, are typically allowed to heal and mature for several months before an implant is placed on top, since the new bone needs time to become dense enough to support the forces of chewing. Dr. Haigney determines the right sequencing for your case using 3D cone-beam imaging, which shows exactly how much bone volume is present and how much needs to be added before implant placement is safe and predictable.
If you're missing one or more teeth and are considering dental implants, the first step is a consultation and 3D scan to evaluate your jawbone. Call Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery at (704) 987-3132 to schedule with Dr. Haigney and get a clear picture of what your treatment will involve.
Related Article: How Long is Recovery from Dental Bone Grafting?
Words cannot express enough, how wonderful, caring and professional Dr. Haigney and his staff are! After being rushed to the Huntersville hospital with an orbital fracture, broken nose and other facial damage, Dr. Haigney rushed me into surgery (on his day off I must add) and corrected all my problems. I only wish all doctors cared as much about their patients and their recovery as Dr. Haigney and his staff did. Thank you so much for everything! Your attention and compassion has helped me make my recovery as comfortable as possible. 5 star service!
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