What is a dental bone graft and when is it necessary?

Written in association with: Dr Eduardo Crooke
Published:
Edited by: Aoife Maguire

What is a dental bone graft? When is a dental bone graft necessary?

A dental bone graft is a technique used to increase the amount and quality of bone in the area where an implant will be placed.

 

It can improve the circumstances to carry out the implant surgery. It can also be used in order to allow the dentist carry out the surgery, because sometimes performing a bone graft is the only way to place the implant.

 

How is a dental bone graft performed?

There are up to five different techniques which can be used for a dental bone graft. The choice of each technique depends on the circumstances of each individual patient.

 

Before deciding on which dental bone graft technique to use, the doctor will need to study how to carry out the bone graft.

 

How painful is a dental bone graft?

A dental bone graft It is more painful than other dental treatments because there is more soft tissue involved in the procedure. However, the patient will receive medication, in order to help them to manage the pain produced as result of the procedure.

 

What complications can arise from a dental bone graft?

Like with any oral procedure, dental bone graft may result in some complications.

 

In some cases, a bone graft can fail due to its reabsorption. In other cases, the patient can develop an infection in the area. However, the infection can be treated with antibiotics and the bone graft removal.

 

The dental bone graft could also end up necrosed. Dentists often use the plasma-rich growth factors (PRGF) technique to accelerate the tissue healing process.

 

How long does it take for a dental bone graft to heal?

Healing time for a dental bone graft is dependant on the bone used. Healing can take between 4 and 9 months.
 

 

By Dr Eduardo Crooke
Dentistry

Dr Eduardo Crooke is an esteemed dentist who practices at 3 Step Smiles Glasgow and 3 Step Smiles Liverpool. With over 20 years of experience and coming from a family of dentists, he is an expert in zygomatic implants, immediate loading implants, dental implants, implant prosthetics, dental bone grafts and dental prostheses.

Dr Crooke graduated from Madrid's Universidad Europea with a bachelor's in dentistry in 2002 and in 2003, he earned a master's in oral and maxillofacial surgery from the University of Gothenburg. Since then, he had specialised in this area and has become a leading oral surgeon and has founded several state-of-the-art clinics in both Spain and the UK. He founded the 3 Step Smile methodology by combining experience and technology to deliver faster and better results.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr Crooke is a lecturer at the Crooke Academy, Malaga. He is also a lecturer for Nobel BioCare, a leading manufactures of dental implants, and a tutor in implant surgery and prosthesis. Thanks to his in-depth knowledge of implantology and immediate loading, he has spoken about these at numerous conferences. From 2008 to 2014, he was a member of the COEMA scientific committee and in 2014, he held the role of president of the national congress of prosthesis. Over the course of his career, he was been awarded three gold medals from Malaga’s Dentistry College.

View Profile

Overall assessment of their patients


  • Related procedures
  • Platelet-rich plasma
    Botulinum toxin (Botox™)
    Dermal fillers
    Oral surgery
    Orthodontic Surgery
    Periodontal Surgery
    Impacted teeth surgery
    Maxillary bone grafts
    Dental implants
    Salivary glands pathology
    This website uses our own and third-party Cookies to compile information with the aim of improving our services, to show you advertising related to your preferences as well analysing your browsing habits. You can change your settings HERE.