To receive a dental implant to replace one or more missing teeth, the implant's artificial root is surgically placed in your jawbone for strength and stability. However, many people lack enough quality bone material to support an implant without seeking a bone graft. At Pacific Coast Dental, we are proud to provide this procedure in the same location as your dental implant.
For numerous reasons, an estimated 50 percent of dental implant candidates will require bone grafting. This breakdown in your natural bone tissue may be due to:
- Age-related bone degeneration
- Advanced periodontal disease
- Facial injury or trauma
- Lack of bone due to missing teeth
How Long Does a Bone Graft Take to Heal?
Your healing period after a bone grafting procedure will vary depending on the type of graft and your overall health. For the smaller socket reconstruction graft, you should be done healing within three to six months. But for a more extensive graft on your bony ridge, your recovery period is significantly longer, extending up to nine months.
This period is vital if you want your dental implant to become a permanent addition to your smile. But once your implant is in place, your jawbone should benefit from the regenerative qualities stimulated by the pressure from chewing.