If you’re considering dental implants, your dentist may mention bone grafting as part of the process. It might sound intimidating, but it’s actually a common and safe procedure — and sometimes necessary to ensure your implant lasts.
Here’s what Canadian patients should know about how bone grafting connects to dental implants.
🧰 What Is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting involves adding bone (or bone-like material) to your jaw to strengthen it. This creates a stable foundation for a dental implant.
It’s often needed if:
- Your jawbone has shrunk due to missing teeth
- Bone was lost because of gum disease or trauma
- You’ve worn dentures for many years
🛌 Why It Matters for Implants
Dental implants rely on strong bone support to stay in place. If there isn’t enough bone to anchor the implant, the implant may fail or feel unstable.
Bone grafting helps by:
- Increasing bone volume and density
- Creating a secure base for implant placement
- Improving long-term implant success rates
🩺 Types of Bone Grafts
Minor grafting: Done at the same time as implant surgery (in some cases)
Major grafting: Done several months before implant placement, allowing time to heal
Sources for graft material may include processed bone from a donor, synthetic bone, or your own bone (commonly from another part of the jaw).
⌛ What’s the Healing Time?
Healing usually takes 3 to 6 months, depending on the size and type of graft. Once healed, you can move forward with your implant.
Considering dental implants? Our Canadian dental team will assess your bone health and explain whether grafting is needed to support your smile for the long haul.