Bone grafting in [city], [st]: what to know before treatment

At [practice_name] in [city], Utah, bone grafting helps rebuild lost jawbone so teeth, dental implants, and dentures have a stable foundation. Bone grafting in [city], [st] can be recommended after tooth loss, gum disease, or injury, and it is often the first step toward successful implant placement.

Bone grafting explained

Dental bone grafting adds or restores bone where it has thinned or resorbed. After a tooth is removed or lost, the jaw may shrink over time, which can affect facial shape and limit tooth replacement options. A graft encourages the body to form new, strong bone in the weakened area.

Grafts can be placed in several situations:

• Socket preservation after an extraction to protect the ridge and reduce bone loss.
• Ridge augmentation to widen or rebuild a narrow jaw ridge before implants.
• Sinus lift in the upper back jaw to create height for implants beneath the sinus.
• Repair of defects from periodontal disease, injury, or congenital conditions.

Types of graft materials

Several materials are commonly used, each with proven safety profiles. Autografts use a small amount of your own bone. Allografts come from a carefully screened donor source. Xenografts are derived from mineralized animal bone, and alloplasts are synthetic materials designed to support new bone growth. A thin membrane may also be placed to protect the graft while it heals.

How bone grafting can help you

• Provides support for dental implants when natural bone is insufficient.
• Preserves facial contours by limiting bone collapse after tooth loss.
• Stabilizes neighboring teeth and helps prevent shifting.
• Improves the fit and comfort of dentures or implant dentures.
• Expands treatment options by creating bone where it is needed most.

How bone grafting works

The process begins with a detailed exam, X-rays, and often 3D imaging to map bone quality and thickness. A personalized plan is created to determine the graft type, location, and whether a ridge preservation, ridge augmentation, or sinus lift is appropriate.

On the day of the procedure, local anesthesia is used and sedation may be available when appropriate. The site is cleaned and prepared, the graft is placed and secured, and a membrane and sutures protect the area. Most visits take about an hour for smaller grafts, while complex cases may take longer. Over the next several months, the graft integrates as your body replaces it with natural bone, a process known as remodeling. When adequate bone forms, implant placement or other planned treatment can proceed.

What to expect before and after

Before surgery, share a full health history and medication list, follow any fasting instructions for sedation, and avoid smoking, which slows healing. After surgery, you can expect mild swelling and soreness for a few days.

• Use prescribed pain relief as directed and apply cold packs during the first 24 hours.
• Eat a soft diet, avoid straws, and chew away from the graft site.
• Keep the area clean with gentle brushing and recommended rinses.
• Do not smoke or vape during healing to protect blood flow and bone formation.
• Attend follow-up visits to monitor integration and plan next steps.

Initial healing occurs in one to two weeks, while full bone maturation often takes three to six months depending on the graft type, location, and individual health. Your timeline for implants or other treatments will be reviewed once the graft is stable.