Bone Grafting in Encino, CA

Bone grafting is used to preserve or rebuild areas of the jaw where bone has been lost because of missing teeth, dental disease, infection, trauma, or another condition. At our Encino oral surgery practice, Dr. George A. Maranon and Dr. Shahe Dishakjian, also known as Dr. D, provide bone-grafting procedures to restore jawbone health and, when appropriate, create a stable foundation for dental implants.

What Is Dental Bone Grafting?

A dental bone graft is a surgical procedure that places grafting material in an area where the jawbone has deteriorated or is insufficient. The graft provides a framework that supports the formation and remodeling of new bone. After the area heals, the restored bone may be able to support a dental implant or another form of oral rehabilitation.

Bone grafting can range from preserving a single tooth socket after an extraction to rebuilding a larger section of the upper or lower jaw. The recommended approach depends on the location and extent of the bone loss, your oral health, and the treatment planned after grafting.

What Is Alveolar Bone?

Alveolar bone is the portion of the upper or lower jaw that surrounds, supports, and anchors the teeth. When a tooth is removed or lost, the bone that previously supported its root no longer receives the same stimulation and may gradually shrink or resorb.

Alveolar bone loss may result from:

• Missing teeth or previous tooth extractions
• Advanced gum disease
• Dental infections
• Facial or oral trauma
• Oral pathology or previous surgery
• Developmental conditions affecting the jaws
• Pressure from poorly fitting dentures

Significant bone loss can affect oral function, facial contours, surrounding teeth, and the fit of dentures. It can also leave insufficient bone for dental implant placement.

When Is Bone Grafting Necessary?

Bone grafting may be recommended to:

• Preserve the jawbone after a tooth extraction
• Rebuild bone that has deteriorated following prolonged tooth loss
• Create sufficient bone height or width for dental implants
• Repair bone loss caused by gum disease or infection
• Reconstruct an area damaged by trauma or previous surgery
• Restore a jaw defect associated with a developmental or pathological condition
• Improve support for dentures or another dental restoration

Patients with insufficient jawbone may not be immediate candidates for dental implants. However, bone grafting can make implant treatment possible for many patients once the graft has healed.

Types of Bone-Grafting Procedures

There are several types of bone-grafting procedures. These treatments may be performed separately or together, depending on the location of the bone loss and the patient’s individual needs.

Socket Preservation

Socket preservation places grafting material into the empty socket following a tooth extraction. This can help limit changes in the height and width of the jawbone and preserve the area for a possible future dental implant.

Sinus Lift

A sinus lift, also called sinus augmentation, adds bone to the back of the upper jaw beneath the sinus membrane. It may be recommended when there is not enough bone height to support implants in the upper premolar or molar region.

Major Bone Grafting

Major bone grafting is used to reconstruct larger defects of the upper or lower jaw. These defects may result from trauma, tumor surgery, developmental conditions, infection, or previous treatment.

Larger defects may require bone obtained from another area of the patient’s body, such as the jaw, hip, or tibia. More extensive procedures may be performed in an operating-room or hospital setting.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein

Bone morphogenetic proteins, commonly called BMPs, are naturally occurring proteins involved in bone formation and healing. In selected cases, a manufactured form of BMP may be used to support new bone formation and reduce the amount of bone that needs to be harvested from another area of the patient’s body.

Where Does Bone Graft Material Come From?

Bone graft material can come from several sources. The material selected depends on the location and size of the graft, the patient’s health, and the goals of treatment.

• Autograft: Bone obtained from another area of the patient’s own body, often from within the jaw for smaller grafts
• Allograft: Carefully processed human donor bone obtained from a tissue bank
• Xenograft: Processed bone material derived from an animal source
• Alloplast: A biocompatible synthetic bone-grafting material

Autografts may be collected from inside the mouth or, when more bone is needed, another donor area may be considered. Because using the patient’s own bone requires an additional surgical site, it is not necessary or appropriate for every case.

Allografts, xenografts, and synthetic materials can provide a framework that supports new bone formation without requiring a second bone-harvesting site. A protective membrane may also be used to stabilize the graft and support guided bone regeneration.

What Happens During a Bone-Grafting Procedure?

Treatment begins with a consultation, clinical examination, and diagnostic imaging. This information allows Dr. Maranon or Dr. Dishakjian to evaluate the location and extent of the bone loss and determine whether grafting is necessary.

During surgery, the treatment area is accessed and prepared before the grafting material is placed. A membrane or another stabilizing material may be used to protect the graft. The gum tissue is then repositioned and closed with sutures.

The recommended anesthesia option depends on the type and extent of the procedure, the patient’s health, and individual comfort needs. Your surgeon will discuss the treatment and anesthesia plan before surgery.

How Long Does a Dental Bone Graft Take to Heal?

Initial gum-tissue healing generally occurs before the underlying bone has fully developed and matured. Complete bone-graft healing commonly takes several months, although the timeline varies from patient to patient.

Factors that can affect healing include:

• The size and location of the graft
• The grafting material and technique used
• Whether an implant was placed during the same procedure
• The patient’s overall health and natural healing response
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Oral hygiene and adherence to postoperative instructions

Your surgeon will monitor your progress and determine when the graft is ready to support the next phase of treatment.

Who Is a Candidate for Bone Grafting?

You may be a candidate for bone grafting if you have insufficient jawbone to support a dental implant, need to preserve bone after an extraction, or have experienced bone loss because of gum disease, infection, injury, or another condition.

Candidacy can only be confirmed after a clinical evaluation and review of your diagnostic images. Smoking, uncontrolled medical conditions, active infection, certain medications, and untreated gum disease can affect healing. Be sure to discuss your complete health history and any medications or supplements with your surgeon.

Why Choose an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon for Bone Grafting?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons receive specialized surgical training in diagnosing and treating conditions involving the mouth, teeth, jaws, and facial structures. This training includes bone reconstruction, dental implant surgery, anesthesia, and the management of complex oral surgical needs.

Dr. Maranon and Dr. Dishakjian use clinical examinations and individualized treatment planning to determine whether grafting is necessary and which material and technique can best support each patient’s long-term oral health and treatment goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Grafting

Is a bone graft always required before a dental implant?

No. A bone graft is only recommended when the available jawbone cannot adequately support an implant or when preserving the bone is expected to improve the treatment outcome. Some patients have sufficient healthy bone for implant placement without grafting.

Can a bone graft and dental implant be placed at the same time?

Sometimes. A smaller area may be grafted when the implant is placed. If more extensive reconstruction is required, the graft will generally need to heal before implant surgery. Your surgeon will determine the safest and most appropriate treatment sequence.

Does bone graft material become part of the jaw?

Bone-grafting material generally acts as a framework that supports the formation and remodeling of the patient’s own bone. How the graft changes during healing depends on the material and technique used.

How long after a bone graft can I receive a dental implant?

Healing commonly requires several months, but there is no single timeline for every patient. Your surgeon will use follow-up examinations and diagnostic imaging when necessary to determine when the area is ready for implant placement.

What can interfere with bone-graft healing?

Smoking, poor oral hygiene, infection, uncontrolled health conditions, certain medications, and failure to follow postoperative instructions can interfere with healing. Your surgeon will discuss any personal risk factors during your consultation.

Learn More About Bone Grafting

Explore these related resources to learn more about jawbone loss and the grafting procedures available at our Encino oral surgery practice:

• Causes of Jawbone Loss and Deterioration
• Socket Preservation After Tooth Extraction
• Sinus Lift and Sinus Augmentation
• Major Bone Grafting
• Bone Morphogenetic Protein
• Dental Implant Surgery

Schedule a Bone-Grafting Consultation in Encino, California

If you have been told that you lack sufficient jawbone for dental implants or want to preserve bone following an extraction, schedule an evaluation with Dr. George Maranon or Dr. Shahe Dishakjian at their Encino oral surgery office.

The practice serves patients from Encino, Sherman Oaks, Tarzana, Studio City, Woodland Hills, Van Nuys, Northridge, Reseda, and communities throughout the San Fernando Valley.

Call 818-990-5500 or request an appointment with our oral surgery team.