Gangseo-gu Implant Dentistry: Until an Implant Bone Graft Takes Hold

Gangseo-gu Implant Dentistry, Until an Implant Bone Graft Takes Hold

Hello.

I am Kim Geun-il,

Director of 365서울원탑치과.

Today, I would like to talk about

one of the questions

patients ask most frequently

when they come in for an implant consultation:

implant bone grafting.

“If bone graft material is placed in my gums,

does it immediately become my own bone?”

“After bone grafting,

how long do I have to wait

until the implant tooth is completed?”

These are questions I often hear

during implant consultations.

To give you the conclusion first,

the bone graft material placed by the dentist

does not immediately become your own bone

on its own.

The grafted bone material

merely serves as a kind of scaffold.

Our body’s cells need to enter along that scaffold

and go through the process of forming

truly solid alveolar bone of your own.

Today, I will explain in an easy-to-understand way

the physiological process by which bone graft material

hardens into your own bone,

as well as how long it takes.

The 4-stage process by which implant bone graft material becomes “truly yours”

Bones in our bodies are living tissue.

For bone graft material to fuse with your alveolar bone,

the following precise stages take place.

Stage 1

Blood clot formation and blood vessel development

Once the bone graft material has been placed,

blood from the surrounding area

first seeps between the graft particles

and forms a blood clot.

This blood is filled with nutrients and stem cells

that can create new cells.

Over the one to two weeks after surgery,

new microscopic blood vessels begin to grow

into the graft material.

Stage 2

The activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts

(1–2 months)

Osteoclasts that enter along the blood vessels

absorb and remove the rough areas

of the grafted bone material.

Then, osteoblasts that follow

begin secreting new bone proteins,

such as collagen.

The bone formed at this stage

is still immature and soft

(unmature bone).

Stage 3

Calcium and phosphorus deposition, and calcification

(2–4 months)

As calcium and phosphorus from the blood

are gradually deposited in the previously soft

immature bone tissue,

the bone gradually becomes harder. (Calcification)

From this stage, the implant fixture

begins to form a firm physical and biological bond

with the alveolar bone.

Stage 4

Bone remodeling and completion

(3–6 months or longer)

As the hardened bone receives stimulation and pressure

from chewing food,

its density becomes even greater.

It completely transforms into

“truly solid alveolar bone of your own”

(mature bone with sufficient bone density)

that can firmly hold the tooth root.

How long does it take to become your own bone?

Individual differences exist depending on

the patient’s alveolar bone condition

and the amount of bone grafted.

• Standard bone grafting (favorable conditions)

Usually, after about 3–4 months,

the graft becomes stable and strong enough

for an implant to be placed and used for chewing.

• Complex bone grafting

(When the alveolar bone has been significantly resorbed / procedures such as sinus lift surgery)

If a large amount of bone needs to be grafted,

at least six months is needed

for it to be replaced by your own bone.

There is no need to become impatient

just because the process takes a long time.

If a tooth is placed forcefully

before sufficient strength has been secured,

the implant may become loose or fail.

Postoperative precautions for stable osseointegration

No matter how well the surgery is performed,

it will not be effective if your body cannot form bone properly.

For stable bone integration,

the following three points must be followed.

1. Absolutely no smoking (most important!)

Nicotine and harmful substances in cigarettes

constrict blood vessels and block

blood flow to the bone graft site.

If you do not quit smoking,

not only the bone grafting,

but also the success rate of the implant

will drop sharply.

2. Avoid actions that interfere with bleeding control

Actions that increase negative pressure in the mouth,

such as spitting or using a straw,

can cause bleeding

and interfere with blood clot formation.

3. Manage chronic conditions (diabetes)

For patients with diabetes,

blood sugar must be well controlled

for blood vessel formation to proceed smoothly

and for the bone to harden properly.

Implant bone grafting

is not simply a matter of filling a space with material.

It is a complex procedure that must be performed

after accurately analyzing the patient’s bone metabolism

and the three-dimensional structure of the gums.

Before implant surgery,

precise diagnosis using equipment such as a 3D CT

is essential in order to carefully measure

each patient’s alveolar bone density and shape.

If the alveolar bone is significantly deficient,

the difficulty of implant surgery will be even greater.

However, rather than giving up immediately,

I believe a dentist’s role is to work with the patient

to find the best treatment method for their individual needs.

For my patients to enjoy healthy meals,

I, dentist Kim Geun-il,

will always do my best.

Thank you.

📍 365서울원탑치과

179 Gangseo-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, 4th Floor, Dongmyeong M Building

Balsan-dong Dentistry / Gangseo-gu Dentistry / Hwagok-dong Dentistry

A 1-minute walk from Exit 8 of Hwagok Station