Bone Grafting

Dental bone grafting is a surgical procedure designed to augment or restore bone in the jaw. It is often necessary when patients require dental implants but lack adequate bone volume to support them. This procedure enhances the quality and quantity of the jawbone, creating a strong foundation for successful implant placement.
Why Is Dental Bone Grafting Needed?
Several factors can lead to insufficient bone in the jaw, including tooth loss, periodontal disease, trauma, or natural bone resorption. Without adequate bone, dental implants may not be stable or secure. Dental bone grafting addresses this issue by fortifying the jaw, making it suitable for implant placement.


Benefits of Dental Bone Grafting
- Facilitates Implant Placement: Dental bone grafting ensures there is enough bone to securely anchor dental implants, enhancing their stability and longevity.
- Preserves Facial Structure: By preventing further bone loss and preserving natural gum contours, bone grafting helps maintain facial aesthetics and prevents a “sunken” appearance.
- Restores Chewing Function: Bone grafting can restore the ability to chew and speak comfortably, improving overall oral function.
- Increases Treatment Options: With the success of bone grafting, patients who were previously ineligible for dental implants can now benefit from this advanced solution.
- Minimizes Complications: When performed by our implant surgeons, dental bone grafting is a safe procedure with minimal risks.
The Dental Bone Grafting Procedure
1. Initial Consultation and Assessment
Your journey towards dental bone grafting begins with a comprehensive consultation at Dulwich Dental Office. During this visit:
- Oral Examination: Our surgeons will perform a thorough oral examination and may take X-rays or 3D scans to evaluate your bone quality and structure.
- Treatment Discussion: We will discuss your specific needs, goals, and treatment options, including whether dental bone grafting is recommended. Our team will address any concerns and provide a detailed treatment plan.
2. Preoperative Preparations
Before the dental bone grafting procedure, you may be advised to:
- Quit Smoking: If you smoke, it’s essential to quit or significantly reduce smoking, as smoking can impair the healing process.
- Medications: Our surgeons may prescribe antibiotics or other medications to prevent infection or manage postoperative discomfort.
3.Bone Grafting Surgery
The bone grafting surgery is the heart of the dental bone grafting procedure, where our experienced team of surgeons meticulously perform a series of steps to augment or restore bone in the jaw. This surgical process is crucial to create a stable foundation for future dental implants or address bone loss due to various factors.
Step 1: Anesthesia and Preparation
The process begins with your comfort and safety in mind. Our surgeons will administer local anesthesia to ensure that you do not experience pain during the procedure. This anesthesia numbs the surgical site, allowing you to remain relaxed and comfortable throughout the surgery. For particularly complex cases or for patients who desire additional relaxation, sedation options, such as intravenous (IV) sedation or oral sedation, may be available.
Step 2: Incision
With the anesthesia taking effect, our surgeons will make a small incision in the gum tissue near the area where bone grafting is needed. This incision provides access to the underlying jawbone and allows for precise placement of the graft material.
Step 3: Graft Material Selection
The choice of graft material depends on your unique needs and the recommendations of our surgeons. There are several options available:
- Autograft: In some cases, a small amount of bone may be harvested from another area of your body, typically the hip or the back of the jaw. This autograft material is considered the gold standard due to its compatibility with your body.
- Allograft: Allograft material is sourced from a donor, processed to eliminate any risk of disease transmission, and sterilized for safety. Allografts are a suitable alternative when using your bone is not feasible.
- Xenograft or Synthetic Graft: Xenografts are derived from animal sources, such as bovine or porcine bone, and are processed to be biocompatible. Synthetic graft materials may also be used, consisting of biocompatible materials designed to encourage new bone growth.
The choice of graft material is made after careful consideration of your specific case and requirements.
Step 4: Graft Placement
Once the appropriate graft material is prepared, our surgeons will place it in the area of bone deficiency. The graft material serves as a scaffold or framework, encouraging the growth of new bone cells. This new bone tissue gradually replaces the graft material over time, making it an integral part of your natural bone.
Step 5: Closure and Suturing
With the graft material in place, the surgical site is carefully closed with sutures. These sutures are typically absorbable and will dissolve on their own over time. The closure is precise to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of infection.
Step 6: Postoperative Care
Following the bone grafting surgery, our team will provide you with detailed postoperative care instructions. It’s essential to follow these instructions diligently to promote successful healing. This may include guidelines on pain management, dietary restrictions (such as a soft-food diet), and oral hygiene practices.
Step 7: Monitoring and Follow-Up
Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your healing progress. These appointments allow our surgeons to assess the integration of the graft material with your natural bone and ensure that the site is healing as expected. Any necessary adjustments or further care will be discussed during these visits.
4. Dental Implant Placement
Once sufficient bone volume is achieved, typically several months after bone grafting, you can proceed with dental implant placement. Our surgeons will assess the condition of the graft site and ensure it is ready for implant surgery.

Dental bone grafting is performed under local anesthesia to ensure you experience minimal discomfort during the procedure. Postoperatively, some discomfort is common but can be managed with prescribed medications.
Recovery time can vary depending on the individual and the extent of the grafting. Most patients can expect a few days to a couple of weeks of recovery. It’s essential to follow postoperative care instructions and attend follow-up appointments.
Dental bone grafting is generally safe when performed by our surgeons. Risks are minimal but may include infection, bleeding, or graft failure. Our surgeons take all necessary precautions to minimize these risks.
In most cases, dental implant placement is performed several months after bone grafting to allow time for the graft material to integrate with your natural bone. However, immediate implant placement may be considered in specific situations, depending on the individual case.
The duration of the bone grafting procedure can vary depending on the complexity of the case. On average, it takes approximately one to two hours, but your specific procedure timeline will be discussed during your initial consultation.

Dr Javier Perez
Dental Implant and Oral Surgeon
Lic Odont, PG Cert (Implant), MClinDent (Implant), Dip Oral Surg RCS (Eng), PG Cert Cons Sed
GDC No: 225487
Special interest in Oral Surgery & Dental Implants
Dr Javier Perez graduated in dental surgery in 2010.
His clinical practice is focused on dental implants and oral surgery, from simple single tooth replacements to complex reconstructions involving both soft and hard tissues.
Dr Javier has completed a Masters in Implant Dentistry MClinDent (Implant) in London over three years and was awarded a diploma in Oral Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, one of the most prestigious colleges in UK.
Dr Perez has trained in Oral Surgery at the Maxillofacial Unit in the Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in South England. He is at the forefront of dental implants and oral surgery regularly attending National and International conferences to develop his skills and learn about the latest trends in Implantology.
At Dulwich Dental our implant team have placed over 5000 implants, often undertaking and being referred cases from other practioners. We also consult and treat cases where you may have been told that you are unsuitable for dental implants. Having assembled one of the countries leading dental implant teams we can treat the most advanced and complex cases here at Dulwich Dental Office.
Outside of work Dr Javier spends the majority of his time with his young family, recently welcoming a new son (October, 2021). He enjoys spending weekends exploring London, especially going to local food markets.
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