Bone Grafting
What Is Bone Grafting and Why Is It Needed?
When someone loses a tooth, it’s more than just an empty space in their smile. That gap can also result in the loss of jawbone strength and structure over time. At Anderson Dental, we offer bone grafting in Phoenix for dental implants to help patients rebuild the bone needed to support long-term solutions like implants.
Bone grafting is a common and reliable procedure that restores missing bone in the jaw. This restoration is often essential before a dental implant can be placed. Why? Because implants need strong bone to anchor securely and perform just like a natural tooth. Without enough bone, there’s no stable foundation to support lasting results. That’s where bone grafting comes in.
There are several causes of bone loss in the jaw. These include untreated fractures, chronic infections, gum disease, trauma, or natural bone resorption after tooth removal. When the jawbone diminishes in these areas, it can affect your bite alignment, oral function, and facial shape.
At Anderson Dental, we customize every treatment plan to your needs, beginning with an evaluation to see whether bone grafting is the right next step for you.
Types of Bone Grafting at Anderson Dental
Every person’s case is unique, which is why we offer both major and minor types of bone grafting depending on how much needs to be rebuilt.
Major Bone Grafting
This procedure is more complex and typically performed in a hospital setting—often after trauma, tumor removal, or addressing a congenital issue. It involves harvesting bone from another part of your body, such as your hip or leg, and transplanting it to the affected area of the jaw.
Minor Bone Grafting
This more common type of grafting is often done when there’s insufficient bone to hold a dental implant. It is performed in our office using several techniques, including:
– Ridge preservation: Placed immediately after a tooth extraction to prevent bone loss in the area.
– Sinus lift: Adds height to the upper jaw when sinuses are too close to a planned implant site.
– Onlay grafting: Adds bone to widen or heighten areas of the jaw needing reinforcement.
A real-world example: A patient who put off replacing a molar for years came to us ready for an implant—but without enough bone. A sinus lift restored the area, successfully creating the foundation for a stable implant.
Causes of Bone Loss in the Jaw
Understanding what causes bone loss helps patients take preventive measures and recognize when to seek professional help. Common causes include:
– Tooth extractions without replacing the tooth
– Periodontal (gum) disease
– Chronic dental infections or abscesses
– Physical trauma to the jawbone
– Congenital or developmental abnormalities
When teeth are lost and not replaced, the jawbone lacks stimulation and begins to shrink. Bone grafting counteracts that loss by promoting new bone growth and recreating a site ready for implants or other restorations.
Bone Graft Materials We Use
Selecting the right grafting material is essential and depends on your oral health, medical history, and specific goals. At Anderson Dental, we offer:
– Autogenous bone: Harvested from your own body, often from your jaw or chin. It integrates well and is preferred when strong bonding is needed.
– Allograft: Sourced from a human tissue bank, already processed for safety. It’s reliable and eliminates the need to harvest your own bone.
– Xenograft: Taken from animal bone, most often bovine. It’s ideal for filling larger gaps and integrates over time with your natural bone.
For instance, one patient preferred avoiding grafting from their own bone. We used an allograft graft which successfully healed over the following months and supported their implant perfectly.
What the Procedure Is Like
Here’s what you can typically expect with a bone graft at Anderson Dental:
1. A full consultation and thorough imaging to review the problem area.
2. Placement of the selected grafting material into the area of bone loss.
3. A healing phase where your body integrates and builds new bone around the graft. This can take several months.
4. Once healed, the area is ready for implant placement or other dental work.
Throughout every phase, our team will provide clear guidance, check-ins, and support to ensure your healing and comfort.
Is Bone Grafting Right for You?
Bone grafting is often necessary for long-term dental success—especially when preparing for implants. If you’re dealing with long-term tooth loss, facial collapse, or bone thinning, it might be the perfect time to consider this restorative step.
At Anderson Dental, we’re committed to helping you rebuild a healthy oral foundation. Our approach is clear, informed, and totally based on your unique timeline and goals.
If you’ve been told you’re not a candidate for implants due to bone loss, don’t wait to take action. Bone grafting in Phoenix for dental implants can be the answer—and timing matters. Contact Anderson Dental today to schedule your consultation and discover how we can help rebuild your smile from the foundation up.
Meet Your Award Winning Dentist
Dr. Lori Anderson
The Proof is in Our Patients
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I had a preconceived notion that all dentists were the same. My last experience at the meat market corporate chain dentist office was very impersonal and not a pleasant experience so I hadn’t been to a dentist since (about 5 years ago).It stated off a little rough … More with a first time new graduate taking X-rays and panel. Everyone starts somewhere and it was about what I expected from a dental office, same ole experience all over again but it changed when Daniel came in to help out. She took charge training the new guy with competence and patience. She redid some X-rays and I was impressed with her competence and experience to efficiently take the X-rays required.Dr. Anderson was great in showing me what issues I had, recommendations for treatment and options to choose from explaining things that the guy in the chair could understand without all the medical jargon only a hygienist would know.The exceptional service didn’t end there. I’m sorry I didn’t catch or remember her name but the front desk lady called my insurance company to check on coverage and was competent dealing with the insurance company. After about the 3rd time of repeating the same information I would have been rampaging with rage but she was patient and got what she needed to help me with coverage for the next procedure. Dental visits are still not my favorite idea of a good time but they all made the experience more enjoyable than my last experience at the meat market places. It definitely made me want to take care of myself better.
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