What is Bone Grafting?

A dental bone graft is a surgical procedure that involves building up the jawbone to create a stronger jawbone foundation in preparation for dental implant surgery.

Why do I need bone grafting?

In some patients the loss of a tooth, localized infection, gum disease or trauma can cause bone loss. In these cases a bone graft is needed to increase the amount of bone available.

How is it performed?

Bone grafting consists in transferring bone from one part of the jaw to the other. The bone graft is normally taken from the back of the jaw or from the chin area, under local anaesthesia. The gum is lifted away from the underlying bone where the graft is to be placed and our surgeon evaluates the amount of bone needed. The surgeon will then take the required amount of bone from another part of your jaw, after lifting the overlying gum and carefully penetrating into the bone, and finally placing the bone to be grafted onto the recipient site. Small pins or screws are used to fix the graft in position until the dental implants are placed. The final step involves the careful replacement and stich of the gum back into place.

How long does the procedure take?

Bone grafting is a minor surgery and the procedure usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

What should I expect after the procedure?

Immediately after the surgery it is normal to experience some pain, swelling and bruising in the area where the graft (bone) has been taken from and also in the jaw, which generally lasts for about one to two weeks. You will be prescribed a course of antibiotics and painkillers to use over the following week.

What happens next?

The stiches will be removed after one week. Then, depending on your case, the graft will be left to heal for a period of 3 to 6 months. After this period the surgeon will proceed to insert the dental implants.

Are there any special precautions I should be aware of?

Yes. Start taking the prescribed medications immediately after the procedure to avoid infection of the site and reduce discomfort.
When eating, avoid chewing on the site for the next 8 weeks, and it is preferable to eat soft food. For smoking patients, please stop. Not only this is bad for your health in general but it also decreases the success rate of the bone graft that was placed.

How can I reduce the risk of bone loss in the future?

The ideal solution is to replace lost teeth quickly to avoid significant bone loss. Check our Dental Implant leaflet for more info.

Who can I contact for advice?

You can book your Dental Implant consultation at Florentia Clinic with our Maxillo-Facial Surgeon, Dr. Maen Al Khateeb by calling:
Landline: +971 434 22 000
Mobile: +971 56 8737 444