Do I need bone or gum grafting?

An implant needs enough healthy bone and gum around it. Grafting rebuilds what is missing.

Why bone shrinks

After a tooth is taken out, the bone that held it shrinks quickly. A socket preservation graft, placed when the tooth is removed, can help prevent that.

Some people do not have enough bone for an implant of the right size. This is very common when a tooth, or several teeth, have been missing for more than two years. In that case a bone graft may be needed before the implant, or at the same time.

How grafting feels

Grafts range from simple to complex, depending on how much bone is missing and where in the mouth. The bigger the graft, the bigger the incision and the more stitches are needed, which means more swelling and soreness afterward.

As with implants, the soreness comes mainly from the gums, not the bone. Most people are sore for about two to three weeks, and this is usually manageable with pain medicine.

Sinus lift

In the upper back of the jaw, the sinuses can grow down into the space where the tooth roots used to be, leaving little bone. A sinus lift graft adds bone there so a long enough implant can be placed. It needs special materials and a delicate touch.

Gum (soft tissue) grafts

Sometimes the problem is missing or very thin gum tissue, most often at the front of the mouth. A soft tissue graft can create thicker, healthier gums. Expect about two to three weeks of soreness in two places: where the tissue is taken from and where it is placed. For that reason gum grafts are kept mostly to the front of the mouth, or to cases where they are needed for your comfort.

The full process

Grafting is decided at your evaluation and is usually done before or during implant placement. Graft types are listed under services and fees. See every step from first visit to final tooth in Procedures.