DuPont Circle | Washington, DC
Downtown McLean | Virginia
Why do I need jawbone grafting?
When teeth are lost, the jawbone beneath them gradually begins to atrophy and resorb. Over time, this leads to significant reduction in bone volume — leaving many patients without enough bone density or width to support dental implants. Without intervention, implant placement simply isn't possible.
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Dr. Zach Saltman, oral and maxillofacial surgeon serving Washington DC and McLean, VA, uses advanced surgical protocols to regenerate bone where it has been lost. Jawbone grafting restores the foundation your mouth needs — enabling dental implants of the proper length and width to last long-term, while also restoring optimal function and aesthetics.
What Types of Bone Graft Materials Are Used?
There are several types of bone graft materials that can be used to rebuild lost jawbone. The material recommended depends on the location and size of the bone defect, the type of grafting procedure being performed, the amount of bone needed, and your individual treatment plan.
Autograft Bone
An autograft uses bone taken from another area of your own body. Depending on the amount of bone needed, it may be harvested from an area of the jaw or another donor site. Because the bone comes from your own body, an autograft contains the natural components that support bone regeneration. However, using an autograft requires a second surgical site, which can add to the complexity of treatment and recovery. For this reason, it may be considered when a larger amount of bone needs to be rebuilt or when your surgeon determines that it is appropriate for your particular situation.
Xenograft Bone
A xenograft uses processed bone mineral from an animal source, most commonly bovine bone. The material is specially processed so that it can be used as a biocompatible scaffold for bone regeneration.
Because xenograft material can help maintain volume while new bone develops, it may be useful in certain grafting procedures, including some sinus lift and ridge preservation procedures.
Allograft Bone
An allograft uses bone obtained from a human tissue donor. Donor bone is processed by a regulated tissue bank before it is used in oral surgery.
Allograft material provides a framework that supports your body's natural bone-healing process without requiring bone to be harvested from another area of your body. It is commonly used for procedures such as socket preservation and other forms of bone augmentation.
Alloplast or Synthetic Bone Graft
An alloplast is a synthetic bone graft material made from biocompatible substances designed to support new bone formation. Depending on the material, these may include substances such as hydroxyapatite or calcium phosphate.
Synthetic graft materials can provide an alternative to human- or animal-derived graft materials and may be appropriate for certain smaller or well-contained defects.
How Is the Right Bone Graft Material Chosen?
There is no single bone graft material that is right for every patient. Dr. Saltman evaluates the location and extent of bone loss, the type of grafting procedure required, the condition of the surrounding bone and soft tissues, and the planned timing of dental implant treatment when determining which material is most appropriate.
In some cases, different graft materials may also be combined to achieve the desired result. A 3D CBCT scan and clinical examination allow Dr. Saltman to evaluate your individual anatomy and develop a treatment plan based on the amount and location of bone that needs to be restored.
What are different types of jawbone grafting procedures?
What is a Socket Preservation Bone Graft?
Following the extraction of a permanent tooth, the jawbone undergoes a natural healing process that often results in the resorption of the alveolar ridge—the bone that supports both the tooth and surrounding gum tissue. This structure is critical for successful dental implant placement and for preserving the natural aesthetics of your smile.
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Without preservation, bone loss can compromise implant placement and lead to a visible indentation in the gum.
To address this, Dr. Saltman, performs socket preservation—a specialized bone grafting procedure. During this process, the extraction site is filled with bone graft material to maintain the ridge and support future implant treatment.
Over time, this material serves as a scaffold, allowing your body to regenerate strong, healthy bone—typically within four months.
What is Sinus Lift Bone Graft Procedure?
​The maxillary sinuses are located behind your cheeks and above your upper teeth. When the bone beneath the sinus is too thin, it may not be possible to place dental implants securely in this area. In such cases, a sinus lift procedure may be necessary to raise the sinus floor and add bone to support future implant placement.
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During the procedure, a small window is created in the side of the sinus. The sinus lining is gently elevated, and bone graft material is placed onto the sinus floor. After the graft has healed and matured, dental implants can be successfully placed in the upper jaw.
If I Do Not Have the Bone Graft, Can I Still Have a Dental Implant in the Future?
Great question!
Unfortunately, we cannot predict how much any individual’s jawbone will shrink, and how quickly that shrinkage will occur.  We can say that we have seen both rapid bone loss following an extraction and missing tooth sites with plenty of healthy bone despite having the tooth removed decades prior. 
In general, we see more bone loss on the upper jaw than the lower, and faster bone loss in older patients than in younger ones. Again, we cannot promise anything because it is something that is impossible to predict.
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Simply put, you can schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Saltman, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, by calling our office at 202-331-4110.
After examining your mouth and reviewing your 3-dimensional (3D CBCT X-ray), Dr. Saltman can make an educated assessment regarding your unique situation. ​
