Thanks to advancements in technology and techniques, implant procedures involve less discomfort than ever before. We use local anesthesia to numb the area and eliminate pain. We also have several forms of sedation available, to put you in a deep state of relaxation. Some sedatives also produce an amnesic effect, meaning you will have little or no memory of the procedure.

A bone graft involves the transplant of bone from a donor source to a recipient site, below the gum tissue.

There are four sources of graft material: the patient, another person, an animal (usually a cow), or synthetic materials from a laboratory. The source we use depends on your circumstance.

All grafting procedures are fairly similar, but the approach we take depends on the location in your mouth, condition of your bone, and the amount of time that has passed since tooth loss.

1. During the procedure, the dentist will make a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the underlying bone. Once the bone is properly exposed, we will place the graft material onto the area that will eventually support a dental implant. In some cases, we may cover the graft with collagen membranes or synthetic proteins to guide regeneration, and promote healing.
2. After the procedure, you will only experience a mild amount of discomfort. In fact, the pain is so minor; it can usually be managed with over-the-counter medications, like ibuprofen. To prevent infection, we may also prescribe antibiotics.
3. The graft material acts as the catalyst for new bone growth. Over the next several months, the bone will grow, thicken, and absorb the graft material. When the graft material is completely absorbed, and there is an adequate amount of new bone, we can proceed with the rest of the implant process.

Bone grafts are usually required if your jawbone is too thin or too soft to support a dental implant. The chewing action of your mouth places an immense amount of pressure on your bone. If the bone is inadequate, and cannot support an implant, the surgery will likely fail. In some cases, you may only need a minor graft, which can be completed at the same time as your implant surgery. We may also perform a minor graft, known as a socket preservation, immediately following a tooth extraction. This is a preemptive procedure that temporarily stops bone deterioration.