714 Higgins Rd. Park Ridge IL. 60068
Menu
Hours
Insurance AcceptedWhy Bone Grafting Is Needed
Understanding bone loss and how grafting restores the foundation for implants
When a tooth is extracted or lost, the jawbone that previously surrounded and supported that tooth root begins to resorb — a process of gradual shrinkage that begins within weeks of the extraction and continues for years. Studies show that up to 40 percent of the bone width at an extraction site can be lost within the first year alone. This bone loss is not just a cosmetic concern; it directly affects whether a dental implant can be placed and how stable it will be long-term.
Bone grafting is the process of adding bone material to the jaw to restore the volume and density needed to support a dental implant. The graft material acts as a scaffold that the body’s own bone cells grow into over a period of months, eventually replacing the graft material with the patient’s own living bone. The result is a stable, healthy bone foundation that can support an implant for decades.
- Prevents or reverses bone loss at extraction sites
- Creates sufficient bone volume for implant placement
- Preserves the natural contour of the jaw and gum line
- Improves long-term implant stability and success rates
- All procedures performed in-office — no referrals to outside specialists
Socket Preservation Graft
The most important step you can take at the time of extraction
A socket preservation graft — also called an alveolar ridge preservation graft — is placed immediately at the time of tooth extraction, before the socket is closed. Graft material is packed into the empty socket to fill the space left by the tooth root, and a collagen membrane is placed over the top to protect the graft and guide bone regeneration.
This is the single most effective way to prevent the bone loss that follows extraction. By maintaining the bone volume at the extraction site from the very beginning, socket preservation dramatically shortens the overall implant treatment timeline and often eliminates the need for more extensive bone grafting later. We routinely recommend socket preservation for any extraction site where an implant is planned.
- Performed at the same appointment as the extraction
- Prevents the bone loss that begins immediately after extraction
- Shortens the overall implant treatment timeline
- Reduces or eliminates the need for more extensive grafting later
- Healing period: 4 to 6 months before implant placement
Ridge Augmentation
Rebuilding bone that has already been lost
When a tooth has been missing for an extended period without a socket preservation graft, significant bone loss may have already occurred. Ridge augmentation rebuilds the width and height of the jawbone in these cases, creating the bone volume needed to place an implant in the correct position for optimal function and aesthetics.
The procedure involves placing bone graft material along the deficient area of the ridge, covered by a resorbable or non-resorbable membrane to protect the graft and guide bone regeneration. The healing period is typically 4 to 6 months, after which the site is re-evaluated with X-rays or a cone beam CT scan to confirm adequate bone volume for implant placement.
- Restores bone width and height lost after extraction
- Allows implant placement in the ideal position
- Improves the aesthetic outcome of the final restoration
- Guided bone regeneration membrane protects the graft
- Healing period: 4 to 6 months
Sinus Lift (Sinus Augmentation)
Creating bone for upper back jaw implants when the sinus is in the way
The maxillary sinuses are air-filled cavities located above the upper back teeth. When the upper back teeth are lost, the sinus cavity often expands downward into the space previously occupied by the tooth roots — a process called sinus pneumatization. This can leave insufficient bone height between the jaw crest and the sinus floor to place an implant safely.
A sinus lift procedure elevates the sinus membrane and places bone graft material in the space between the membrane and the sinus floor, effectively increasing the bone height available for implant placement. The procedure can be performed as a lateral window sinus lift (for larger bone deficiencies) or as an osteotome sinus lift (a less invasive approach for smaller deficiencies). Both are performed in-office at Loukas Dentistry.
- Creates bone height for upper back jaw implants
- Lateral window approach for larger deficiencies
- Minimally invasive osteotome approach for smaller deficiencies
- Both procedures performed in-office
- Healing period: 6 to 9 months before implant placement
Bone Grafting Materials
FDA-cleared options with an excellent safety and efficacy record
Several types of bone grafting materials are available, each with specific advantages depending on the clinical situation. All materials used at Loukas Dentistry are FDA-cleared and have extensive clinical track records. We will discuss the most appropriate option for your specific case at your consultation.
Processed bone from a human donor, obtained from a licensed tissue bank. Allografts are the most commonly used bone grafting material in dentistry. They are processed to remove all cellular material while preserving the bone mineral matrix, which serves as a scaffold for the patient’s own bone cells to grow into.
Bone mineral derived from bovine (cow) bone that has been processed to remove all organic material. Xenografts have an excellent track record in dental bone grafting and are particularly useful for socket preservation and sinus lift procedures.
Synthetic bone substitutes made from materials such as hydroxyapatite or beta-tricalcium phosphate. These materials are completely biocompatible and are gradually replaced by the patient’s own bone over time.
Bone harvested from another area of the patient’s own jaw. Autografts are considered the gold standard for large defects because they contain living bone cells and growth factors. However, they require a second surgical site, which is why they are reserved for cases where other materials are insufficient.
Bone Grafting Questions and Answers
Common questions from our Park Ridge patients about bone grafting procedures.
Bone grafting is performed under local anesthesia, so you should feel no pain during the procedure itself. After the anesthesia wears off, some soreness and swelling are normal for the first few days. Most patients manage post-operative discomfort well with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen. We will provide detailed post-operative instructions and are always available to answer questions during your recovery.
The initial soft tissue healing after a bone graft takes approximately 2 weeks. However, the bone graft itself takes 4 to 6 months to fully mature and be replaced by the patient’s own bone. For sinus lift procedures, the healing period is typically 6 to 9 months. We monitor the progress of the graft with X-rays and will let you know when you are ready for implant placement.
Yes. Bone grafting is a well-established procedure with an excellent safety record. The grafting materials we use are all FDA-cleared and have been used successfully in dental procedures for decades. Allografts (human donor bone) are processed by licensed tissue banks under strict FDA regulations to ensure safety. The risk of disease transmission from allograft materials is extremely low.
Coverage varies by insurance plan. Some dental insurance plans cover a portion of bone grafting when it is performed in conjunction with a tooth extraction or as part of an implant treatment plan. We will verify your benefits before treatment begins and provide a clear breakdown of your estimated out-of-pocket costs. Financing options through CareCredit and Lending Club are also available.
Questions About Bone Grafting?
Call us to schedule a consultation with Drs. Thanasi and Maria Loukas. We will evaluate your bone volume with 3D imaging and create a personalized treatment plan that gives your implants the best possible foundation for long-term success.
Request appointment
