When is bone grafting required?

A jawbone that is too soft or lack thickness may need bone grafting into order to undergo dental implant surgery. A good, strong jawbone is needed because it needs to be able to withstand the pressure from chewing. A weak jaw with an implant will not be able to withstand the pressure and the implant will not stay secure and will fail.

A bone graft can take a weak jawbone and make it more suitable for the strength needs of an implant. The amount of bone grafting you need depends on the condition of your jaw bone, and minor grafting can often be performed at the same time as the implant surgery.

How does bone grafting work?
A piece of bone is taken from a different part of your body, such as the hip, and transplanted to your jawbone. The transplanted bone will develop and grow with the existing bone, but this can require several months.