Sanggye-dong Implants | Why Bone Grafting Is Needed When There Is Not Enough Jawbone

Hello, this is S Leader Dental Hospital, greeting you from Sanggye-dong Implants.

When people first think about implants, many usually see them as simply “a treatment that places one artificial tooth.”

But once they actually receive a consultation, they are often surprised to hear, “There is not enough jawbone, so implants are difficult. Bone grafting must be done first.” They may also feel burdened by the unexpected additional treatment.

This is a very common situation.

If a tooth has been left untreated for a long time, if there was severe gum disease, or if the jawbone structure is naturally thin, it is not unusual to be told that there is not enough jawbone.

So why can’t an implant be placed right away when there is insufficient jawbone?

And what exactly is the bone grafting needed in that case, and why is it important?

Today, at S Leader Dental Hospital in Sanggye-dong Implants, we will explain in detail why bone grafting is needed before implants, in what cases it is performed, and what patients should understand and prepare for.

What does it mean to have insufficient jawbone?

Teeth are not simply embedded in the gums.

The roots of the teeth are deeply anchored in a hard structure called the alveolar bone, and only when that bone is healthy and sufficient can the teeth remain firmly fixed in place.

However, once a tooth is lost, the bone loses its role and, without being used, gradually begins to be resorbed. This process is called “bone resorption,” and it is a very natural physiological response.

The problem is that as this bone resorption progresses, there is no longer enough space or thickness left to place an implant.

In particular, when more than a year has passed since tooth loss, the height and width of the bone decrease noticeably, which makes implant treatment difficult or increases the likelihood of failure.

In such cases, simply placing an implant is not enough; bone grafting is needed first to restore a stable supporting structure.

Are you curious about the typical cases where bone grafting is needed?

① When the area has been left untreated for a long time after tooth loss

If a missing tooth area has been left alone for several months or more, the bone in that area gradually decreases because it is not being used. In fact, bone resorption progresses most rapidly within the first three months, and then continues to decline afterward.

In particular, the maxilla (upper jaw) has a naturally thinner structure than the mandible, so bone loss can be more severe.

If implants are placed in this condition, the risk of failure due to insufficient fixation becomes very high, so the bone must be reinforced with bone grafting before placement.

② When bone has been destroyed due to severe periodontitis

Gum disease (periodontitis) does not affect only the gums; it is a disease that gradually dissolves and destroys bone.

In particular, in cases of long-standing chronic periodontitis, there are many situations where a significant amount of jawbone has already been lost even before the tooth is extracted.

If an implant is placed without bone grafting in this case, there is a risk that inflammation may recur in the setting of insufficient bone, or that the procedure itself may fail.

③ When the bone is naturally thin or narrow

Depending on the patient, some people naturally have a thin or narrow jawbone.

In particular, the front tooth area tends to have thinner bone to begin with, and the upper molar area often lacks vertical height because of the air space called the maxillary sinus.

In such cases, a bone graft procedure called sinus lift is also needed.

④ When multiple teeth are lost at the same time

When several teeth are lost all at once, not just one or two, the bone loss is more extensive and the grafting area also becomes larger.

In these cases, simple grafting material alone may not be enough, and autogenous bone grafting or block bone grafting may be required.

How is bone grafting performed, and what materials are used?

Bone grafting is a delicate process that goes beyond simply adding bone.

First, a 3D CT scan is used to precisely diagnose the current condition of the jawbone, and a plan is made for where, how much, and in what direction the bone should be added.

Then, the appropriate method and material are determined according to the grafting site.

Types of materials used for grafting

Autogenous bone: Bone taken from the patient’s own body, such as the jaw or hip. It has a high success rate, but places a burden on the donor site Allograft: Bone collected from another person and sterilized and processed. It offers high stability and convenience Xenograft: Animal-derived bone, usually obtained from cattle. It is very commonly used and is safe Synthetic bone: A bone substitute made from artificial materials. Recently, highly functional synthetic bone materials have also been widely used

These may be used alone or in combination depending on the patient’s condition, and a method of covering the area with a special membrane called a membrane is also used to help the bone grow well and prevent resorption.

How long does treatment take after bone grafting?

If bone grafting is performed, the treatment schedule inevitably becomes longer.

However, you can think of this as a process of firmly laying the foundation of a building.

Usually, after bone grafting, there is a bone healing period of about 3 to 6 months before the implant is placed, and then another 2 to 4 months are needed for the osseointegration period, during which the implant and bone firmly fuse together.

In the end, the total treatment period can take 6 months to as long as 1 year.

However, if placement is forced without going through this process, there may be situations where the implant needs to be re-operated on within a few years, so for long-term stability, this can actually be a wiser choice.

The bone graft treatment standards of S Leader Dental Hospital, Sanggye-dong Implants

Many people say, “I don’t want to go as far as bone grafting,” or “It takes too long and it’s scary.” But in fact, bone grafting is not a painful or dangerous procedure.

It can be done sufficiently under local anesthesia, recovery is quick, and if the dental team has expertise and experience, it is a procedure that can be carried out safely.

At S Leader Dental Hospital, Sanggye-dong Implants in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul,

✔️ Precise analysis based on 3D CT

✔️ A collaborative system of specialists in oral surgery, prosthodontics, and periodontics

✔️ Treatment infrastructure capable of handling advanced bone grafting and sinus surgery

✔️ Sterile operating rooms and a sedation anesthesia system

Based on these, we provide customized bone grafting and implant treatment tailored to each patient’s situation.

Do not be disappointed if you have insufficient jawbone. The important thing is to make an accurate diagnosis and go through the process of restoring it safely together. Sanggye-dong Implants and S Leader Dental Hospital will always be with you as a treatment partner responsible for both the beginning and the end.

Sanggye-dong Implants :: S Leader Dental Hospital