Restorative Dentistry

Bone Graft

IN EVERETT, WA

Rebuilding the jawbone so implants have a solid foundation.

Why bone is sometimes needed first

A dental implant needs sufficient bone volume to anchor into. Where a tooth has been missing for some time, that bone has usually receded — the jaw maintains itself in response to chewing load, and without a root there is no load.

Bone can also be lost to advanced gum disease, infection around a failed root, injury, or long-term denture wear. A graft rebuilds that volume so an implant can be placed securely.

Grafting sounds more dramatic than it is. It is a routine procedure done under local anesthetic, in which graft material is placed to act as a scaffold — your own body then replaces it with living bone over the following months. The scaffold does not stay; it guides what grows.

The most efficient graft is often the one done at the moment a tooth is removed. Placing material into the socket at extraction preserves the ridge shape from the outset and frequently avoids a larger, separate procedure later. If an extraction is coming and an implant is even a possibility, it is worth asking about socket preservation before the tooth comes out rather than after.

When a graft is needed before an implant

  • A tooth has been missing long enough for the ridge to have narrowed or dropped.
  • Bone was lost to advanced gum disease or to infection around a failed root.
  • An upper back tooth is being replaced and the sinus sits too low for an implant.
  • A tooth is coming out now, and preserving the socket keeps later options open.

What to expect

Grafts need several months to integrate before an implant is placed.

  1. 1 Imaging and planning 3D imaging shows exactly where bone is deficient and how much needs rebuilding.
  2. 2 Grafting The graft material is placed and the site is closed. Most patients describe recovery as easier than they expected.
  3. 3 Healing Your own bone grows into the graft over several months. We confirm with imaging before placing the implant.

After a graft

Keep the area clean but do not disturb it — follow the specific instructions we give you. Avoid smoking, which markedly reduces the success rate of grafting, and stick to softer foods while the site settles.

Common questions about bone graft

How long does a bone graft take to heal?
Typically three to six months before an implant can be placed, depending on the size of the graft and where it is. Larger reconstructions take longer. The discomfort, by contrast, is usually over within a few days.
Is a bone graft painful?
It is done under local anesthetic, so the procedure itself is not. Afterwards expect soreness and some swelling for a few days, manageable with ordinary pain relief and a cold compress.
Where does the graft material come from?
Usually processed donor or bovine material, both long-established and rigorously screened, or synthetic material. Occasionally a small amount of your own bone is used. We will tell you exactly what is being used and why before you agree to it.
Can I have an implant without a graft?
Often, yes — a graft is only recommended where there is not enough bone volume to anchor the implant safely. A scan tells us which applies to you, and we would rather not do a procedure that is not needed.
What affects whether a graft works?
Smoking is the single biggest factor and markedly reduces success rates. Keeping the area clean without disturbing it, following the post-operative instructions, and managing conditions like uncontrolled diabetes all matter too.

Questions about bone graft?

We'll walk you through the options, the costs, and what to expect.

Madison Street Dental Clinic serves Everett and the surrounding communities of Marysville, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Lynnwood and Bothell.

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