How Long Can You Wait to Get a Bone Graft After Tooth Extraction?

Firstly, let us shed some light on what a bone graft is. It is a procedure that increases the volume and density of your jawbone in areas affected by bone loss. The oral surgeon will work with you to decide on the type of bone graft surgery you want, depending on where the grafting material is taken from. These types are respectively named autogenous (taken from your own body), allograft (taken from a human tissue bank), xenograft (taken from an animal tissue bank), and alloplastic (a synthetic material).

It is recommended to opt for a bone graft immediately after tooth extraction or after the extraction site has healed completely. The dental expert might place the bone graft in the socket after your extraction and treat the tissues in order to keep the material inside. It might take 8 weeks for the grafting process, and you will have to visit the dental office so that the healthcare provider can keep an eye on the area. Once it is ready, they will begin the dental implant procedure.

This might make you wonder: do I need a bone graft if I’m not getting an implant? To answer, if your tooth extraction site does not require significant bone support and you are not opting for an implant surgery, you may not require a bone graft.

Many patients have the question: What happens if I don’t get a bone graft after tooth extraction?

When your tooth is removed, it can start the deterioration of your jawbone over time. Since the tooth is missing, there is no stimulation to activate jaw bone production. If that happens, you might find it challenging to get replacement options such as dental implants. Moreover, the other teeth start moving toward the gap in your mouth, which affects how your teeth fit together.

As a result, you may require orthodontic treatment to fix the alignment of your teeth. That is not all — the empty spaces can also trap food and bacteria, leading to gum disease, tooth decay, and other concerns. Therefore, it is better to receive a bone graft, if required, soon after your tooth extraction and keep your jawbone healthy. This way, you might be able to easily qualify for dental implants in the future!