Rebuilding a Strong Foundation
When the jaw loses bone from gum disease, extractions, or trauma, it may no longer support implants or other restorations. Bone grafting rebuilds a strong foundation, but the details matter for the final outcome.
At Innovative Dental & Orthodontics, our prosthodontic expertise gives us insight into how bone grafting can best support future implants or other restorations. Our board-certified prosthodontist, Dr. Amit Kamat, and our highly trained dentists, Dr. Maitri Patel and Dr. David George, start with the desired end result and work backward to develop a step-by-step plan.
Our team uses CBCT and intraoral scans uploaded into RealGUIDE software to find your ideal tooth and implant placement. That placement shows us exactly where bone is missing, so we can determine the best augmentation technique for your specific case.
Why Bone Grafting Matters
When a tooth is removed, the surrounding bone naturally begins to shrink and change shape. Over time, this loss can make it harder to place an implant in the ideal position.
Bone grafting—sometimes called site preservation—reinforces the extraction site to preserve the shape, strength, and volume of the jaw, ensuring a more predictable, long-lasting outcome when it's time to place an implant.
When it comes to preparing for implants, bone is not simply missing, but missing in a particular spot where the implant and tooth need support. That is why we plan the tooth first. Grafting the right area, in the right amount, is what lets us place the implant exactly where it belongs.
When Is Bone Grafting Needed?
Dr. Amit Kamat and Dr. Maitri Patel carefully evaluate each site with digital scans and 3D imaging. Bone grafting is recommended when:
- There is significant bone loss or thinning around a tooth
- A tooth is extracted where an implant may be placed in the future
- Additional support is needed for the long-term stability of a restoration
How Bone Grafting Works
1. Evaluation & Imaging
We take a CBCT scan and an intraoral scan and bring both into RealGUIDE, where we plan where your tooth and implant need to go. That plan shows us exactly where bone is missing and which technique will rebuild it.
2. Gentle Tooth Extraction
If a tooth must be removed, it's done with as little trauma as possible to preserve the surrounding bone.
3. Site Grafting
Grafting material is placed where the plan calls for it, in the amount needed to support the implant position we designed.
4. Stabilization & Healing
A membrane or protective covering may hold the graft in place while your body heals and integrates with the grafted bone.
5. Foundation for Implants
After healing, the site is stronger and ready for the implant to go exactly where we planned it from the start.
Bone Grafting FAQs
Restore Your Foundation for a Healthy Smile
Even after significant bone loss, grafting can open the door to implants. Schedule a consultation to explore your options.
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