Bone loss can occur in the jaws around diseased teeth due to gum disease, because of fractured teeth, injuries or infections. Over time the jawbone associated with the missing teeth shrinks which leaves poor quality and quantity of bone, unsuitable for placement of dental implants. With bone grafts, dentists can grow bone where needed, virtually anywhere on the jaws which then enables the use of dental implants as a replacement for missing teeth. Commonly used materials for bone grafts include your own bone, bank bone, bovine bone and synthetic bone, depending on the location and severity of the bone loss.  

 

Bone grafts are minor procedures which can be accomplished in the office under local anesthesia.  More involved cases are performed in an operating room and require a hospital stay.