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A bone graft is a procedure used to rebuild jawbone tissue that has been lost due to gum disease, decay or traumatic injury. The graft replaces missing bone and tissue in the jaw and creates a strong base for dental implants to be placed in by a dentist.

During this procedure, your dentist will position the grafting material into the affected site with new bone growth occurring over the next several months. In time the bone will blend with the surrounding bone structure and recreate the natural contour of the jawline. This creates a strong and stable area in which to place implants.

Reasons for Bone Grafting

A graft is a surgical procedure that involves using bone from another area of the patient’s body or from a donor source to fuse with the jawbone after a tooth is lost. The grafting procedure is sometimes used to assist with implant surgery, especially if the patient has experienced facial trauma or significant bone loss. Grafting allows for the implantation of the dental implant without the risk of rejection by the body. In order to achieve successful results, patients will need to be willing to commit to proper oral hygiene and follow up care with the dentist. Reason for bone grafting are:

- If a tooth has been removed and the socket is not healing properly, a graft may be necessary.

- People who have experienced facial trauma may have problems with their jaw shifting or not closing correctly after the scarred tissue heals. This can result in sunken cheeks, an asymmetrical face shape, or improper teeth alignment. During a bone graft can place the bone in the area of the face where the shifted tissue has resulted in decreased volume. Once the grafted material fuses to the surrounding tissue, it will result in a restored facial appearance.

- A person can also have a bone graft performed if there has been extensive damage to the gums and bone. Severe gum disease can lead to tooth loss as the bone becomes weak and unable to support the teeth. When this occurs, having the tooth extracted may be recommended and then performing a bone graft to restore the area. This will allow for the tooth to be replaced with a dental implant. During a bone graft, the doctor will essentially rebuild the jawbone so that the missing tooth can be replaced.

- In order for a patient to have a bone grafting procedure performed, they will need to undergo minor oral surgery. They will first be placed under anesthesia and a sedative will be administered to help them relax during the procedure.


Call our office today at (825) 467-8888 to book your consultation with Dr. Jennifer Nguyen! Located at 4224 Gateway Blvd NW Edmonton, AB.