When Is Bone Grafting Needed for Dental Implants? Magok Dental Clinic

Hello.

When I speak with patients about dental implants,

there is one question I hear more often than expected.

“Doctor, is bone grafting really necessary?”

“ I thought I only needed to have the implant placed.”

“I’m worried because you said I might need bone grafting as well.”

When people hear the term “bone grafting” for the first time,

many immediately begin to worry:

“Could my condition be more serious than I thought?”

In fact, not long ago,

one patient visited us

with a similar concern.

She was a woman in her 60s.

She said that after having a molar extracted several years earlier,

she had been eating only on the opposite side.

Recently, chewing had gradually become more uncomfortable,

so she visited the dental clinic for an implant consultation.

After conducting the examination,

I explained the findings while looking at the CT images together.

The jawbone at the extraction site

had decreased more than expected.

As she looked at the screen,

she carefully asked,

“I thought only the tooth was gone.

Does the bone decrease as well?”

Let me give you the conclusion first.

Bone grafting is not necessary

for every dental implant procedure.

However, if there is not enough jawbone,

it may be planned together with implant treatment

so that the implant can be used stably for a long time.

Changes Also Occur in the Bone When a Tooth Is Extracted

Teeth are firmly fixed

in the jawbone.

Therefore, when a tooth is extracted,

changes may occur over time

in the bone that supported it.

Although there may not appear to be

much change from the outside,

CT imaging can reveal

that the height or thickness of the bone

has decreased more than expected.

In particular, if it has been a long time since the extraction,

we may find that the jawbone has decreased

more than anticipated.

Why Is Bone Grafting Necessary?

An implant is a treatment

that is firmly secured

within the jawbone.

Therefore, if there is not enough bone,

it is important to first assess the foundation

before placing the implant.

For an implant to function

stably over a long period,

there must be enough jawbone

to support it.

For this reason, depending on the examination results,

bone grafting may be planned together with the implant procedure.

Why Is a CT Examination Important?

During consultations,

some patients ask,

“Can’t you find out

just by taking an X-ray?”

However, some aspects of the jawbone

are difficult to assess from the outside alone.

A treatment plan can be established only after checking

the height and width of the bone,

as well as the location of the surrounding nerves,

through CT imaging.

That is why a CT examination

is one of the important steps

in an implant consultation.

When I explain the findings

while looking at the CT images together,

many patients find it much easier to understand

why bone grafting may be necessary

and why treatment plans differ.

Not Everyone Needs Bone Grafting

This is what patients are most curious about.

Not everyone needs bone grafting.

If the extraction was recent

and there is sufficient jawbone,

implant treatment alone may be performed.

On the other hand,

if a tooth has been missing for a long time

or the bone has decreased because of gum disease,

bone grafting may be considered as well.

The important thing is not to compare yourself with someone else,

but to assess the current condition of your own jawbone.

Check These Points

What to check	Why it is examined
A long time has passed since the extraction	To check for changes in the jawbone
You have received treatment for gum disease	To assess the condition of the bone
You have undergone a CT scan	To check the height and width of the bone
You have been told about additional treatment	To understand the treatment plan
You have been informed of the implant location	To confirm an individualized plan

It Is Important to Receive a Sufficient Explanation

After the explanation,

the patient smiled and said,

“I thought you were suggesting extra treatment for no reason,

but I understand now that I’ve heard the explanation.”

Rather than rushing into treatment in the consultation room,

I believe it is more important to understand

why bone grafting may be necessary

and what the current condition of the jawbone is.

In Closing

Bone-grafted implant treatment

is not something everyone receives.

It is a treatment planned together with the implant procedure

when necessary, after assessing the current condition of the jawbone.

If you are considering an implant,

before focusing on the cost or the name of the treatment,

please make sure you receive a sufficient explanation

about the condition of your own jawbone.

Implants intended for long-term use

begin with an accurate diagnosis

and a sufficient explanation.

Thank you.

WE build healthy smiles,

SHE finds confidence.

HE finds his smile.

Beauty built on a healthy foundation

Dr. Yeo Sang-ho, Director of Yonsei Wish Dental Clinic.

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