Bone Grafting

Jaw and facial bone loss can occur because of trauma to the face, disease, oral cancer, genetics, or other reasons. Bone grafting is a safe and effective way to regrow lost bone, restoring facial structure and helping create a solid foundation for future dental implants. 

At Kitsap Oral, Maxillofacial & Dental Implant Surgery, our oral surgeons offer a variety of bone grafting treatments in the safety and comfort of our offices. The type of bone grafting used for your oral health needs is customized to match the level of bone regeneration necessary and to create the most optimal outcome. Contact us in Silverdale, Poulsbo, or Port Orchard, WA, for a consultation with Dr. Sukhdeep Dhaliwal, Dr. Paul Greenawalt, Dr. Thomas Curran, and Dr. Douglas Baasch. 

How Does a Bone Graft Work? 

Your oral surgeon will insert bone or synthetic grafting material in the area where more bone is needed. Your existing bone will heal around the graft, resulting in healthy, new bone. Bone grafting is often performed in addition to another oral and maxillofacial procedure, such as following facial trauma or tooth extraction, or before receiving dental implants. 

The grafting material can come from several different sources, and your surgeon will determine the right type of graft for your procedure. The different types of grafting materials include: 

• Autografts
• Allografts
• Xenografts
• Alloplasts

Types of Bone Grafting Treatments Available 

Patients who have been missing a tooth for years may only require minor bone grafting to rebuild the jaw bone in the area where the tooth is gone. Other patients who have experienced extensive facial trauma or lost a significant portion of the jaw bone may require major bone grafting. To expedite healing and maximize efficiency throughout your bone grafting treatment, we can also use factors from your own blood to expedite healing and promote bone formation in the graft areas.

During your consultation, we will take 3D scans of your head, neck, mouth, and face to assess the bones and soft tissues of these areas. Prior to any treatment, we will also discuss your options for anesthesia and help you select the right type for your level of comfort.

Major Bone Grafting

Major bone grafting is often performed to repair large defects of the jaw or areas affected by trauma or disease. Autografts are inserted in areas where bone regeneration is needed. It can take several months for the new bone to fully heal, depending on the size of the grafted area.

Sinus Lift

The maxillary sinuses are the empty spaces behind the cheeks, above the upper teeth. Some tooth roots in the upper dental arch extend into the sinus cavity. When these teeth are extracted or fall out, only a thin wall remains that separates the sinus from the mouth. A sinus lift involves your surgeon inserting grafting material into the space where the tooth root once was. This creates a stronger base for the dental implant and makes it possible for more patients to receive dental implants in the upper arch who were previously told they did not qualify. 

Ridge Expansion

Bone loss can cause the dental ridge to atrophy, making it difficult for dental implants to have the support they need to be successful. A bone graft can be inserted into the ridge to restore its dimensions, as well as create a more natural-looking contour of the gums and jaw. For this procedure, your surgeon will use special instruments to separate the bone and insert grafting material into the open space. Once healed, the ridge will be ready to support one or more dental implants. 

Ramus Grafting

Ramus bone grafting is also an option for patients in need of more facial bone. Ramus bone grafts are a type of autogenous bone graft that uses the patient’s own bone from the mandibular ramus instead of synthetic or donated bone.