Bone Grafting
Rebuilding the foundation, so the rest of the care lasts.
Bone grafting restores or preserves the jawbone where it has been lost or damaged — most often as preparation for a dental implant or to maintain bone after an extraction. We perform bone grafting in our Eustis office, often combined with PRF.
Why it matters
Why bone matters for dental implants
A dental implant succeeds or fails based on the bone it is placed in. The implant has to integrate with healthy, dense jawbone to function as a stable foundation for the final tooth. When the bone is insufficient — or too thin, too soft, or too compromised — the implant will not have the support it needs.
This is why bone is part of nearly every implant conversation. Some patients have plenty of it. Others do not. The CBCT 3D scan we capture at your consultation tells us exactly where you stand. Importantly, Dr. Jackson has successfully treated many patients who had been told elsewhere that they had insufficient bone for dental implants. Using the high-quality CBCT imaging in our office and his diagnostic and treatment planning skills, what looks impossible at one practice is often achievable at ours.
Common reasons bone is lost:
- A tooth has been missing for some time (the bone in that area shrinks without stimulation)
- Long-term denture wear (dentures do not stimulate the bone the way teeth do)
- Periodontal disease that has damaged the supporting bone
- Trauma or infection
- Previous extractions where no graft was placed at the time
The good news: in most cases, lost bone can be rebuilt. Modern bone grafting is highly predictable, well-tolerated, and routinely performed as part of implant care.
How it works
What a bone graft actually is
A bone graft introduces graft material into the area where bone is missing or insufficient. The graft acts as a scaffold — a structure your body's own cells migrate into, gradually replacing the graft material with new, native bone over several months.
Types of grafting we perform:
Most common use in our practice
Grafting at the time of extraction with immediate implant placement.
This is the most common use of bone grafting in our practice. When Dr. Jackson extracts a tooth and places an implant in the same surgery — which is possible in approximately 85% of cases where an extraction is being replaced with an implant — he packs bone graft material and PRF around the implant to fill any space between the implant and the surrounding bone. The grafting integrates with the implant during the healing period, producing a strong, stable foundation for the final crown.
Socket preservation grafts.
When a tooth is extracted and an implant is not placed in the same surgery — typically because clinical circumstances make a two-stage approach advisable — a socket preservation graft fills the empty socket and preserves the bone for a future implant. A small graft at the time of extraction takes minutes and saves significant care later.
Ridge augmentation.
Building up the width or height of the jawbone where it has become too thin to support an implant. This is typically done before implant placement, with healing time between procedures.
Sinus lifts.
Adding bone to the upper jaw beneath the maxillary sinus, where the natural sinus position can leave insufficient bone for upper-back implants. We perform sinus lifts using minimally invasive techniques.
Block grafts.
For larger defects, occasionally we use a block of grafted bone to rebuild a significant area. This is less common but available when needed.
With PRF
PRF: using your body's own healing capacity
We routinely combine bone grafts with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) — a healing accelerator made from a small sample of your own blood. PRF concentrates growth factors and platelets that your body uses naturally to heal tissue and regenerate bone, then delivers them directly to the surgical site.
The benefits are well-documented:
- Smoother healing at the graft site
- Improved bone formation
- Reduced post-procedure discomfort and swelling
- Lower risk of infection
- Better long-term outcomes
Because PRF is made from your own blood, there is no foreign material introduced and no risk of allergic reaction. We typically draw the blood and prepare the PRF in our office at the time of your procedure using a horizontal centrifuge, which produces vertically stacked layers in the tubes for clean separation of the components.
Common scenarios
When you will need grafting
- 1
Scenario 1
You are having a tooth extracted and replacing it with an implant.
In most cases — approximately 85% of the time — Dr. Jackson is able to extract the tooth and place the implant in the same surgery, with bone graft and PRF packed around the implant. This is the most common bone grafting scenario in our practice.
- 2
Scenario 2
You are having a tooth extracted and might want an implant later.
When immediate implant placement is not advisable for your specific case — or when you simply want to extract now and decide about an implant later — a socket preservation graft fills the empty socket and preserves the bone for a future implant. This protects your future options without committing you to anything beyond the extraction.
- 3
Scenario 3
You are missing a tooth and want an implant, but your bone has thinned.
Depending on the degree of bone loss, we may build the area up before implant placement (a separate procedure with healing time between) or graft at the same appointment as the implant.
- 4
Scenario 4
You want an upper-back implant but your sinus is in the way.
A sinus lift adds bone beneath the sinus floor, creating space for the implant. Often performed at the same appointment as implant placement when sufficient bone exists for initial stability.
- 5
Scenario 5
You are considering All-on-X but have not been told whether you have enough bone.
We will capture a CBCT scan and walk through exactly what your bone looks like. Some patients need significant grafting; others have plenty of bone and need none. The 3D imaging makes it clear either way.
What to expect
Your bone grafting procedure
Most bone grafts are performed under local anesthesia with optional sedation. Smaller grafts — like socket preservation — are typically completed in just a few minutes added to another procedure. Larger grafts take longer.
Recovery is generally manageable:
- Mild swelling and soreness for several days
- Soft food diet for a week or so
- Most patients return to normal activities within a day or two
- Healing of the graft itself takes three to six months before it is ready to support an implant
We will review specific aftercare instructions for your case before you leave the office.
Frequently asked
Common questions about bone grafting
Where does the graft material come from?
We most commonly use allograft material — human bone that has been carefully processed, screened, and prepared for safe surgical use. In certain clinical situations, we use a mixture of allograft and xenograft. Xenograft is bone graft material derived from a non-human source — most commonly bovine (bovine bone is widely used in dental grafting because its structure is well suited to supporting new bone formation). Both allograft and xenograft materials have been rigorously processed for safety and have been used in dentistry for decades.
Is bone grafting safe?
Yes. Modern bone grafting is highly predictable and well-tolerated. Allograft and xenograft materials are rigorously processed and tested. Combined with PRF from your own blood, healing typically progresses smoothly.
Will it hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Post-procedure discomfort is usually mild and well-managed.
How long before I can have my implant after a graft?
Typically three to six months, depending on the size and type of graft. Smaller socket preservation grafts heal more quickly than larger ridge augmentations.
What if I do not get a graft after an extraction?
The bone in that area will gradually shrink. If you eventually want an implant, you will likely need a more extensive graft to rebuild what was lost — adding cost, time, and complexity. Socket preservation at the time of extraction is almost always the better path.
Will my insurance cover bone grafting?
Some plans cover it, particularly when associated with implant placement; others do not. We will check your benefits and explain what to expect.
Wondering whether you need bone grafting?
A CBCT 3D scan at your consultation tells us exactly what your bone looks like. We will explain what we see, what your options are, and whether grafting is the right next step for your case.