A bone or soft tissue graft is an oral surgery procedure that our dentists may recommend if your jawbone is not thick or solid enough to provide proper support to the rest of your mouth and teeth or if the gum tissue of your mouth has receded due to trauma or periodontal disease. During the procedure, we will transplant a piece of bone or tissue from another part of your body into your mouth. We usually see the best results if we use material from your own body, as your mouth can naturally integrate with the new piece of bone or gum tissue. If necessary, we can use artificial material from a tissue bank. When the graft is completed, your jawbone should grow with the new piece of bone and become denser and stronger, and your new gum tissue should integrate with existing tissue to fill the proper areas of your mouth.

We may recommend a soft tissue or bone graft if you have lost teeth and do not have enough bone density or gum tissue to support a restoration, such as a dental implant. Once a tooth is lost, your jawbone and the gums surrounding it begin to deteriorate at the original site. If this is the case, a bone or tissue graft is necessary before placing the implant.

If you want to learn more about soft tissue or bone grafting and how it can benefit the health of your smile, we invite you to call or visit us today to schedule an appointment.