Restoring Bone Health and Supporting a Lasting Smile
When bone loss has occurred due to gum disease or missing teeth, it can make placing a dental implant difficult. The good news is that bone grafting can restore a strong foundation for your smile.
At Dr. Fred Alger Periodontics & Implants in Gahanna, our team provides advanced bone graft procedures that encourage new bone growth, strengthen the jawbone, and help ensure successful implant placement.
Why Is Bone Grafting Needed?
Your jawbone plays a critical role in supporting teeth and dental implants. When teeth are lost, the bone that once supported them begins to deteriorate — a process called resorption. Over time, this jawbone loss can make it difficult to place implants or even affect your facial structure.
Bone grafting helps rebuild this area, giving the dental implant a stable foundation to bond with and restoring strength to your alveolar bone (the part of the jaw that holds teeth).
Common reasons for needing a dental bone graft include:
- Bone loss from periodontal disease
- Tooth extraction without ridge preservation
- Long-term missing teeth
- Trauma or infection
- Preparation for implant surgery
- Sinus expansion in the upper jaw requiring a sinus lift
With bone grafting, Dr. Alger can help patients regain the healthy bone density needed to support their next step in treatment.
How Does Bone Grafting Work?
A bone graft procedure involves placing specialized graft material into areas where bone tissue is thin or missing. Over time, this material stimulates the growth of new bone, creating a stable environment for future dental implants.
Dr. Alger’s approach to bone grafting combines precision, experience, and gentle care. He performs the procedure in-office using local anesthetic to ensure patient comfort. The process typically includes:
- Preparing the Surgical Site
The area is numbed, and the gum tissue is gently lifted to access the jawbone. - Placing the Bone Graft Material
Dr. Alger places either synthetic bone graft, human donor bone, or your own bone (harvested from another area of the body). The grafting material fills in spaces where bone loss has occurred. - Guided Tissue Regeneration
In many cases, Dr. Alger uses collagen membranes in a technique called guided tissue regeneration. This encourages natural bone growth while preventing gum tissue from interfering with healing. - Healing and Integration
Over the next several months, your body naturally replaces the graft with new bone. Once enough bone has formed, your dental implant surgery can be completed.
This gradual process provides a solid foundation that ensures your implants fuse securely to the jawbone through osseointegration.
Types of Bone Grafts
Different types of bone grafts may be used depending on your condition and treatment goals:
- Autograft: Bone taken from another area of your own body (often the chin or jaw).
- Allograft: Bone from a human donor, sterilized and processed for safety.
- Xenograft: Bone derived from another species (commonly bovine) used to encourage bone growth.
- Alloplastic (Synthetic) Graft: A naturally occurring mineral or bioactive glass that mimics real bone and promotes healing.
Each type provides unique benefits. During your consultation, Dr. Alger will recommend the most appropriate material based on your bone density, medical conditions, and overall treatment plan.
The Role of Bone Grafting in Dental Implant Surgery
A bone graft for dental implants is often the first step before implant placement. By rebuilding missing bone, the graft ensures there’s enough bone height and width to securely hold the titanium post of the implant.
In some cases, bone grafting and implant placement can occur at the same time. However, if extensive bone loss has occurred, the graft may need several months to heal before the implant surgery.
Dr. Alger will monitor the growth of new bone through digital imaging and evaluate when your jaw is ready for the next stage.
Dr. Alger’s Expertise in Bone Regeneration
Bone regeneration has been a professional passion for Dr. Alger since his specialty training at The Ohio State University, where it was the focus of his master’s research.
Today, he continues to teach and lecture on bone grafting techniques and periodontal regeneration, helping advance the field of periodontal therapy. His experience ensures that every patient receives care based on the latest proven methods and research-backed results.
Dr. Alger’s patients benefit from:
- Decades of specialized experience in periodontics and implant dentistry
- Use of the latest bone graft materials and techniques
- A focus on patient comfort, safety, and lasting outcomes
- Coordination with your general dentist or oral surgeon for comprehensive care
What to Expect After the Procedure
After your bone graft surgery, mild swelling or tenderness is normal. Dr. Alger and his team will provide detailed post-operative instructions, including how to care for your surgical site, what to eat, and how to maintain your oral hygiene during recovery.
Most patients return to normal activities within a few days, though full bone growth may take several months. Dr. Alger will schedule follow-up visits to ensure that the grafted area is healing properly and the bone tissue is regenerating as expected.
The Benefits of Bone Grafting
Choosing bone grafting before your dental implant procedure offers several long-term advantages:
- Prevents further bone loss and preserves your facial structure
- Restores bone density for secure implant placement
- Enhances your overall oral health and function
- Reduces the risk of implant failure
- Supports healthy gums and natural bone regeneration
This proven, research-supported procedure provides patients with the foundation they need for a confident, lasting smile.
Do You Qualify for Bone Graft Treatment?
If you’ve experienced bone loss or have been told you lack enough bone for dental implants, you may be an excellent candidate for bone grafting.
During your consultation, Dr. Alger will evaluate your jawbone condition, discuss treatment options, and create a plan designed for the best long-term success.