- What Is a Bone Graft?
- How Does a Dental Bone Graft Work?
- What Can I Expect After Bone Grafting?
- What Are the Benefits of Bone Grafting?
- The Oral Surgery Center Reviews
- Am I A Candidate for Bone Grafting?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support for a Healthier, Stronger Smile
- Get In Touch
What Is a Bone Graft?
Healthy bone is essential for many types of oral surgery, especially when it comes to advanced treatments like dental implants. If a tooth has been missing for some time, or if bone has weakened due to injury, infection, or periodontal disease, the jaw may no longer have enough structure to support treatment. In these cases, our team at The Oral Surgery Center might recommend bone grafting surgery as a first step in restoring a healthier smile. A bone graft adds structure back to areas where bone has thinned or been lost. During this procedure, Dr. Justin L. Drab places bone material (which may be synthetic or taken from donor material) into the atrophied area, where it integrates with your natural bone and begins to regenerate its own healthy tissue over time. This process is often necessary before placing a dental implant, but it can also be done to preserve bone after a tooth extraction or to correct loss caused by chronic oral conditions. If you have experienced bone loss due to a missing tooth, infection, trauma, or advanced gum disease, schedule a consultation and exam at The Oral Surgery Center in Greensboro, NC to learn how an oral bone graft can restore structure to your smile.
How Does a Dental Bone Graft Work?
The bone grafting process begins with a consultation at our Greensboro, NC oral surgery center, where we'll examine the health and structure of your teeth and jaw using our practice's state-of-the-art cone-beam CT dental imaging tools. Based on these scans, we'll start developing your personalized surgery plan. There are a variety of commonly used bone graft materials that we may recommend according to your needs, including autograft (bone taken from your own body), allograft (sterilized bone taken from a donor), xenograft (bone from an animal source), or alloplast (a synthetic form of bone made from biocompatible minerals).
Bone grafting is typically done in our office under local anesthesia, often combined with general anesthesia or IV sedation if needed for comfort. Dr. Drab will start by gently opening the gum tissue in the area that needs additional support. After exposing the jawbone, he will carefully put the grafting material into place before sewing the gums closed with dissolvable stitches. Over the next few months, the bone graft will fuse into your natural jawbone through a process called osseointegration. Throughout your recovery, our team will check in with you to monitor your progress and manage any issues that might come up. Once your healing period is complete (typically after 3 – 6 months for most patients), we'll discuss the next step of your treatment, which may include dental implants, jaw reconstruction, or another oral surgery.
What Can I Expect After Bone Grafting?
In the next six or more months, the graft should heal and bond with your jaw through a process known as osseointegration, which is essential for successful dental bone graft healing and long-term dental implant success. During this time, it is critical to follow a consistent home oral care routine, including brushing and flossing, along with any products recommended by our team to support proper oral surgery recovery. He may prescribe antibiotics or pain medication to help manage inflammation, swelling, or discomfort after your bone graft procedure. You may also have follow-up appointments at The Oral Surgery Center to monitor your healing progress and determine when you are ready to move forward with dental implants for tooth replacement.
What Are the Benefits of Bone Grafting?
There are many different approaches to bone grafting, but they all aim to create a stronger, more stable environment for future oral health treatments. The benefits of dental bone grafting include:
- Restores bone structure lost due to tooth loss, infection, or trauma
- Makes it possible to receive dental implants when the jawbone lacks sufficient structure
- Supports long-term stability of restorations like dental implants
- Helps preserve natural facial shape and jawline
- Improves healing outcomes after tooth extractions
- Allows for more predictable and successful surgical planning
- Lays the foundation for better oral health
The Oral Surgery Center Reviews
Staff and Dr Drab effective and efficient. Answered my questions and good outcome from surgery, timely appts.
Excellent care. Lovely people.
Dr. Drab and his staff were so kind to me when I had my tooth extracted. They made sure my husband was equipped with all the knowledge and resources needed to care for me at home. I would definitely return to this office for my oral surgery needs. I would highly recommend Dr. Drab to anyone.
This is the best choice for oral surgery in Greensboro. Dr. Drab and his entire staff are pleasant, very caring and professional. Rae is a wonderful nurse and the billing front office team are great too. My family has had more than 6 procedures here and this review is applicable to every single visit. I've had to call with complications and they handled that efficiently and with no wait.
Great experience
322
Total Reviews
5
Average Rating
Am I A Candidate for Bone Grafting?
A weakened jawbone can develop for several reasons, including oral health conditions like gingivitis, periodontal disease, or even facial trauma from an injury. Jawbone atrophy often occurs when a missing tooth is left untreated or replaced with a removable or cemented restoration instead of a dental implant, since the bone no longer receives stimulation. Over time, this loss of support can affect surrounding teeth and overall oral health. A bone grafting procedure helps rebuild and strengthen the jaw, creating a stable foundation for dental implant placement. While the bone graft healing process does require patience and may take several months, the long-term benefits are significant. With proper healing, the jawbone becomes strong enough to support a dental implant and protect your natural teeth, promoting long-term oral health, improved function, and a healthier, more confident smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the potential risks of bone grafting?
Bone grafting is a safe and commonly performed procedure, but like any surgery, it does carry some risks. These may include infection, swelling, or minor bruising. At our practice, Dr. Drab uses advanced techniques and high-quality sterile materials to reduce these risks. You’ll also receive comprehensive aftercare instructions to help promote a smooth recovery process.
Are there any dietary limitations after a bone graft?
Yes, after a bone graft, it’s important to follow a soft-food diet for the first few days to protect the surgical area. Foods like mashed vegetables and smoothies are excellent choices. Our team at The Oral Surgery Center will give you a clear list of foods to avoid and guide you on what to eat to aid healing and recovery.
How do I take care of the surgical site after a bone graft?
Proper care of the surgical area is vital for successful healing. This includes keeping the site clean and following the oral care guidelines we provide. This may include avoiding smoking and sticking to the recommended diet. Regular follow-up visits with our Greensboro, NC, office will ensure the graft is healing as expected and allow us to monitor your progress.
Support for a Healthier, Stronger Smile
With bone grafting, Dr. Drab can rebuild what has been lost and give you the structure you need for safe, lasting results. At The Oral Surgery Center in Greensboro, NC, we take a careful and customized approach to every graft, using proven materials and techniques to support your long-term goals. If you have been told you are not a candidate for implants or need to restore bone before surgery, we are here to help you take the next step with clarity and confidence. Reach out today to schedule your consultation and learn more about your options.