Dental Bone Grafts in NYC
A common problem with implantation is the presence of bone atrophy at the site of surgery. iSmile Dental dentists recommend placing implants immediately after tooth extraction, during the first six months after removal. The longer you delay this moment, the greater the jaw bone atrophy will be.
Some information about bone grafting
In cases of atrophy, doctors preliminarily build up bone tissue in patients. Bone grafting or bone augmentation is an opportunity to return the volume and density of the jaw. This is necessary for the reliable fixation of the implant so that the patient does not have problems with the artificial tooth in the future.
Thanks to modern methods of building bone tissue, doctors have the opportunity to put implants in the heaviest cases. Even if you lost your teeth long ago, iSmile Dental would have your implants with a lifetime warranty.
Bone grafting technologies are divided into several types
- Sinus Lifting. The operation to raise the sinus bottom most often concerns the lateral parts of the jaw because the sinus drops the lowest in these places.
- Directed bone regeneration. The operation aims to fill in the bone defect in the implantation zone and prevent the growth of connective tissue there.
- Splitting of the alveolar process. A dental milling cutter splits the alveolar process in the implantation area along the crest. This procedure is used in the lateral parts of the lower jaw. Under favorable conditions, simultaneous implantation is possible.
- Bone block transplantation. The procedure involves building up the patient's bone tissue by transplanting autogenic (own) material. Autologous grafts are usually removed from the corner of the patient's lower jaw.
Bone grafting has its contraindications
These include:
- osteoporosis and bisphosphonates;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- immunodeficiency;
- blood disease.
Other contraindications can be identified on examination by an implantologist.
Materials for bone augmentation
An autograft is the patient's own bone tissue. The bone block is removed from the inner surface of the lower jaw and transferred to a place where bone tissue is deficient. Autograft is considered an ideal material for building bone tissue with minimal risk of rejection and a high recovery rate.
A synthetic graft used for augmentation is an artificial substance with phosphorus and calcium contents. Over time, the synthetic material may be entirely or partially replaced by the patient's own bone tissue.
The implantologist assesses the bone's suitability for implantation based on examination and imaging techniques such as orthopantomography and computed tomography.

Some information about bone grafting
Bone grafting technologies are divided into several types
- Sinus Lifting. The operation to raise the sinus bottom most often concerns the lateral parts of the jaw because the sinus drops the lowest in these places.
- Directed bone regeneration. The operation aims to fill in the bone defect in the implantation zone and prevent the growth of connective tissue there.
- Splitting of the alveolar process. A dental milling cutter splits the alveolar process in the implantation area along the crest. This procedure is used in the lateral parts of the lower jaw. Under favorable conditions, simultaneous implantation is possible.
- Bone block transplantation. The procedure involves building up the patient's bone tissue by transplanting autogenic (own) material. Autologous grafts are usually removed from the corner of the patient's lower jaw.
Bone grafting has its contraindications
These include:
- osteoporosis and bisphosphonates;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- immunodeficiency;
- blood disease.
Other contraindications can be identified on examination by an implantologist.
Materials for bone augmentation
An autograft is the patient's own bone tissue. The bone block is removed from the inner surface of the lower jaw and transferred to a place where bone tissue is deficient. Autograft is considered an ideal material for building bone tissue with minimal risk of rejection and a high recovery rate.
A synthetic graft used for augmentation is an artificial substance with phosphorus and calcium contents. Over time, the synthetic material may be entirely or partially replaced by the patient's own bone tissue.
The implantologist assesses the bone's suitability for implantation based on examination and imaging techniques such as orthopantomography and computed tomography.

Stages of bone grafting
The duration of bone grafting is from 1.5 to 3 hours. The procedure consists of the following steps:
- Anesthesia. Bone grafting of the jaw is performed in a medicamental sleep or under local anesthesia. The type of anesthesia is selected in each case individually. It all depends on the amount of work that is performed, as well as the threshold of pain sensitivity.
- Bone augmentation. The surgeon installs a bone autograft in the implantation site. This is a small piece of bone taken from a patient. It is also possible to operate using synthetic bone material.
- Membrane overlay. The next step is to cover the graft with a special barrier membrane. This is an essential element that protects the graft from the ingrowth of soft tissues into it.
- Suturing. At the final stage, the doctor applies sutures.
Restoration of the jaw's bone tissue is standard for an experienced dental surgeon iSmile Dental. From the point of view of a doctor, such a procedure has practically no complexity.
But for the patient, bone grafting can be accompanied by inconvenience. Bone augmentation surgery is a surgical intervention that causes the patient physical and psychological discomfort. The patient needs to follow the rather harsh rules of rehabilitation. Failure to comply with medical recommendations threatens serious consequences, making further implantation impossible. It would help if you waited at least two months to complete bone tissue repair.
Recommendations after bone grafting
What cannot be done after bone grafting:
- eat for 2 hours;
- carry out thermal procedures for 3-5 days;
- inflate the cheeks or actively rinse your mouth for 3-4 weeks;
- drink alcoholic beverages during postoperative rehabilitation;
- smoke for five days (try to minimize at least the number of cigarettes smoked).
What you need to do:
- apply a cold compress for 5 minutes with 5-minute breaks for 2-3 hours (do this through a towel to make frostbite of the skin impossible);
- exclude the consumption of coarse and hot food;
- observe oral void hygiene (change the toothbrush);
- do not use an irrigator in the field of surgical intervention;
- take medicine prescribed by the doctor according to the given scheme.
Complications after bone grafting of teeth can result from many factors, but most often - non-compliance with the doctor's recommendations. Insufficient oral hygiene, malnutrition, and bad habits can lead to complications after the procedure.
Infection of the surgical wound often leads to rejection of the graft and inflammation of the jawbone. Hence, compliance with the rules of oral hygiene after surgery is the No. 1 priority for the patient.
faq
How quickly does bone grafting heal?
The effectiveness of subsequent dental implantation depends on proper healing. On average, gum healing takes from a week to 10 days. For the bone tissue to finally take root, it is necessary to have several months of rehabilitation.
Do I need to build up the bone for the implant?
Bone grafting is necessary to secure the dental implant securely. An increase in bone volume may also be needed to prevent distortion of the contours of the face due to a decrease in the jaw.
What can not be done after bone grafting or sinus lifting?
For 2 hours you can not take food and drinks. You can not injure the area of operation; try to “clean” or “wash” it yourself. For three days, abandon the bath, hot bath, sauna, and solarium (“do not heat” the wound), and limit physical activity.
Is it possible to put an implant if the tooth is not present for ten years?
The procedure is not done until age 18 due to the incomplete formation of bone tissue. Elderly age for implantation is not a contraindication. If there are conditions, and the patient’s condition allows, you can put artificial teeth in 70 years, 80, and 90.
What will happen to implants in old age?
As a result of the analysis of more than 60 studies that tracked implants installed in patients aged 75 years and older, the following conclusions were made: After five years, the level of bone tissue around the implants in patients 75 years and older remains at the same level as in patients of other age groups.
What to eat to strengthen bone tissue?
Legumes, walnuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and vegetable oils contain proteins and fats necessary to strengthen bone tissue and absorb vitamin D. Fish products (they need to be eaten with bones): sardines, salmon. Foods are rich in calcium: cheese, eggs, liver.
What should be the thickness of the bone for implantation?
The minimum thickness of the upper and lower jaw bone should be at least 2 mm. more than the thickness of the implant used. The minimum bone thickness should be 4.5 mm. The thinnest dental implants on the dental market are 2.5 mm.
Who is not allowed to have an implant?
Blood diseases, disorders of hematopoietic function:
- lymphogranulomatosis;
- leukemia;
- hemolytic anemia;
- thalassemia.
Chronic somatic diseases of the body:
- diabetes mellitus;
- diseases of the oral mucosa;
- diabetes with insulin dependence;
- rheumatic disease;
- tuberculosis.
Is it possible to do without bone grafting?
Especially often, osteoplasty surgery is required in the absence of teeth on the upper jaw. Implantation without bone grafting is possible, but only in a small percentage of cases.
How to brush my teeth after bone grafting?
You can use a soft toothbrush to gently clean your teeth from the second day after the operation. After each meal, it is necessary to rinse your mouth with water or antiseptics as prescribed by the dentist.