If you are looking to replace missing teeth, your dentist may have suggested the possibility of dental implant surgery. Dental implants are the most natural and long-lasting solution for tooth loss because they function and look just like your natural teeth. While they’re a great option for most people, not everyone has a healthy jawbone that can support and stabilise an implant rod.
If you have been missing teeth for a prolonged period, you may be experiencing bone resorption due to a lack of stimuli. In this case, your dentist may recommend a bone graft. Dental implant bone graft healing time varies, but the procedure can add several months to your overall recovery timeline.
Why Do I Need a Bone Graft?
Several conditions can occur where you may require a bone graft procedure to repair or improve your jawbone density. Just like your natural teeth, dental implants require support from your jawbone. When the bone is too thin to stabilise the implant, a bone graft is necessary to enhance the width and depth of the bone.
Your dentist will take bone from elsewhere in the body (autograft) or use synthetic material (alloplast) to repair your jawbone, ensuring it is capable of supporting the dental implant post.
This is a minor surgical procedure, but your mouth will need time to heal before you can proceed with your dental implant surgery. Depending on the procedure used, dental implant bone graft healing and recovery can take between 6 to 12 months.
If bone loss impacts your teeth and gums adjacent to the gap, you may also require a bone graft to prevent premature tooth loss.
Bone Grafting for a Dental Implant Procedure
The healing time after your bone graft procedure lasts several months due to the nature of the surgery. To understand why healing takes so long, it is important to be familiar with the dental bone graft procedure steps and the different types of bone grafts you might undergo.
- You will be given sedation before the surgery
- The area will be thoroughly cleaned
- An incision will be made in your gum where the bone graft is inserted
- Bone material is placed in the appropriate section along with a growth matrix
- The bone graft is secured to your existing bone
- The incision is closed
There are four common types of bone grafts for dental implants: socket grafting, lateral ridge preservation, block bone grafting, and sinus augmentation.
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Socket Grafting
Socket grafting places bone tissue in your tooth socket after tooth extraction. It reduces bone loss that can occur after a tooth is taken out. This type of grafting has a 4-6 month expected recovery time.
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Lateral Ridge Preservation
If your jawbone is too narrow for dental implants, a lateral ridge preservation graft may be prescribed. This procedure also has a recovery period of 4-6 months.
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Block Bone Grafting
Block bone grafting is necessary for patients with large sections of defective jawbone. Harvested bone is placed in these areas and secured to increase stability for dental implant surgery. Due to the size of the graft, recovery may take 6-8 months.
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Sinus Augmentation
A sinus lift is performed to raise the sinus floor to create space for the dental implant. Bone is grafted into the area to create a secure anchor for implant rods. Recovery from a sinus lift can be 8-12 months.
Dental Implant Bone Graft Healing Time
After your bone graft procedure, you can expect the healing time to take at least 3 months, but your recovery depends on how well you care for the surgical site and your immune health. It is essential to heal completely from your bone graft to receive your dental implants.
Your new bone tissue begins to fuse to your existing jawbone during your recovery, creating a solid base for your dental implants. This process is slow and is in rare cases, can be complicated if your body rejects the bone graft material.
You need to visit your dentist while healing from your bone graft to have X-rays taken and allow your dentist to assess your progress. Most patients are ready for dental implants about 4-6 months after their bone graft surgery.
The healing process after a bone graft includes taking antibiotics prescribed by your dentist, utilising over-the-counter pain medications for discomfort, and avoiding food and activities that might aggravate your surgical site.
Why No Gaps Dental for Dental Implant Surgery?
When choosing a dentist for your dental implants, it is important to choose a practitioner who can also perform bone grafting for dental implant surgery.
As part of the dental implant procedure, your dentist at No Gaps Dental will thoroughly assess the strength of your jawbone and, if needed, perform a bone graft procedure or sinus augmentation to create a secure base for your dental implants.
When you choose No Gaps Dental for your dental implant surgery, you can take advantage of our:
- Convenient hours – open 6 days a week
- Convenient locations – 15 locations in the Sydney metro area
- Affordable payment plans – make small weekly payments on services if approved
In addition to these standard benefits, we have implemented strict hygiene standards to ensure your safety while visiting our practice. We provide high-quality hand sanitiser in our waiting rooms and encourage the use of hand sanitiser when visitors enter and exit the clinic. Our team uses hand sanitiser throughout the day, and we take care to frequently clean surfaces in high traffic spaces.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation
If you are interested in having dental implant surgery, No Gaps Dental is the right choice. During your initial consultation, your dentist can determine if you are a candidate for dental implants or need bone grafting before your procedure.
Call us on (02) 8806 0227 to schedule your dental implant consultation or book your visit online.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.