Bone grafting rebuilds jawbone that has shrunk after tooth loss, gum disease, or injury. Grafting material placed at the site encourages your body to grow new bone, creating a solid foundation for dental implants and preserving facial structure. At SEDA Dental, grafting is performed in-house by our periodontists as part of implant planning.
The most common reasons: a tooth has been missing for a while (bone shrinks fast without a root to stimulate it), advanced gum disease has eroded support, or a tooth is being extracted and we want to preserve the socket for a future implant.
Not every implant patient needs grafting. A 3D scan gives the real answer, and techniques like All-on-4 often work around moderate bone loss entirely. Upper back teeth sometimes need a sinus lift instead.
When grafting is part of implant treatment, we build it into one clear plan, verified against your insurance benefits up front. CareCredit monthly payments and the SEDA Smile Membership Plan help patients without coverage move forward without surprises.
Expect mild swelling and tenderness for a few days, managed with medication and ice. Protect the site: soft foods, no smoking, and no disturbing the area with your tongue or toothbrush while it settles.
The graft matures quietly over the following months. We check progress at follow-up visits and schedule your implant the moment the bone is ready.
The procedure is done fully numb, and most patients report only mild soreness afterward, similar to a tooth extraction. Over-the-counter medication typically covers it.
Most grafts use processed, sterile bone material or synthetic alternatives, no second surgical site needed. We explain exactly what we recommend for your case and why.
Small socket grafts may be implant-ready in about three months. Larger rebuilds take closer to six. Your 3D scans tell us when the bone is truly ready.
No. Plenty of patients have enough native bone. We only recommend grafting when the scan shows the implant would be compromised without it.
A small graft placed immediately after an extraction to stop the bone from collapsing. It keeps your future implant options easy and inexpensive.
Lost bone does not grow back on its own, but grafting can rebuild it in many cases once the gum disease itself is controlled.
