Bone grafting and implants: what you need to know

Why would I need a bone graft?

When a tooth is lost or extracted, the jawbone beneath it begins to resorb — it literally shrinks because it's no longer being stimulated by the tooth root. The longer a tooth has been missing, the more bone may have been lost. Implants need a minimum bone volume to integrate successfully — if that volume isn't there, it needs to be rebuilt first.

Bone grafting is also sometimes needed when teeth are extracted and an implant isn't being placed immediately, or following gum disease that has caused bone loss around existing teeth.

What does a bone graft actually involve?

There are several types of bone graft. The most common for routine implant cases uses either bone substitute material (processed bovine or synthetic mineral that acts as a scaffold for your own bone to grow into) or, for larger grafts, your own bone harvested from another site.

The material is placed into the deficient area and covered with a membrane to protect it during healing. Your own bone gradually grows into and replaces the graft material over 3–6 months.

How does it affect the treatment timeline?

Minor grafting (socket preservation at extraction, or small ridge augmentations) may add 3–4 months to the overall timeline. Larger grafts may require 6 months of healing before implant placement. Your full treatment plan will include a realistic timeline accounting for all stages.

Is it painful?

Bone grafting is carried out under local anaesthetic. Post-procedure discomfort is typically slightly more than implant placement alone — but still manageable with standard pain relief. Swelling is more common and may last up to a week.

What's the success rate?

In experienced hands, bone grafting is highly predictable. Success rates for routine grafts exceed 90%. The quality of the graft and the surgeon's technique matter enormously — this is not a procedure for the generalist.