Bone Grafting and Socket Preservation

Do I Have Enough Bone for an implant?

After tooth extraction, if the walls of the socket are very thick, they will usually fill naturally with bone in two to three months. However, when the walls of your socket are very thin (such as in Your surgeon will take an X-ray or more often a CT Scan at your consult appointment. This in combination with an exam will help to determine your bone levels around your future implant site. Many people who have had teeth taken out previously have inadequate bone and require some additional bone to help ensure the long term survival and aesthetics of their implant. Your surgeon will discuss your needs for bone grafting at your consultation.

1. Inadequate Bone

2. Graft Material Placed

3. Implants Placed

You may also need bone grafting if the sinus cavities in your upper jaw are very large, or very low, and extend into the tooth-bearing areas. This often occurs when teeth in the back of a person’s upper jaw have been removed many years before, and the amount of bone available for implant placement is limited. A “sinus grafting procedure” is then required. During this procedure, the membrane that lines the sinus will be located and elevated. Bone will then be added to restore the bone height and ensure that dental implants of an adequate length can be placed. This procedure often can be performed at the time of implant placement.

 1. Inadequate Bone

 2. Graft Material and Implant Placed