Types of Bone Grafts

• Socket preservation graft: Placed immediately after extraction to prevent bone loss — the most common type
• Ridge augmentation: Rebuilds bone in an area where significant loss has already occurred
• Sinus lift: Adds bone to the upper jaw below the sinus floor for upper implants
• Block graft: Uses a block of bone for large defects

Bone Graft Materials

Autograft: Your own bone — gold standard but requires a second surgical site. Allograft: Donor bone from a bone bank — most commonly used. Xenograft: Bovine (cow) bone — widely used and well-accepted. Alloplast: Synthetic bone substitute. We use the most appropriate material for each case.

The Bone Grafting Procedure

After local anesthesia, the graft site is prepared and the bone graft material is placed. A membrane is often placed over the graft to protect it and guide bone regeneration. The gum is sutured closed. Healing takes 3-6 months before implant placement can proceed.

Socket Preservation at Time of Extraction

The best time to place a bone graft is immediately after tooth extraction. A socket preservation graft placed at the time of extraction prevents the bone loss that would otherwise occur, reducing the amount of grafting needed before implant placement and shortening the overall treatment timeline.