Bone grafting is a very broad topic that can be utilized in many ways in dental treatment.

One of the main benefits of bone grafts is that they provide a scaffold that promotes the growth of new bone in the targeted area. The graft material is eventually replaced by the patient’s own natural bone through a process known as bone remodeling. The graft serves as a temporary structure that stimulates the body’s own bone regeneration, and over time, the material is resorbed and replaced by living bone. Typically, within 6 months after a graft is placed, much of the original graft material is replaced by new bone tissue, although the timeline can vary depending on the site, the graft type, and individual healing factors.

The integration process involves several stages, including the initial vascularization of the graft, which allows blood vessels to form and provide nutrients to the bone cells, and subsequent bone formation through a process called osteogenesis. As new bone tissue forms, it gradually becomes integrated with the surrounding healthy bone, ensuring that the area is restored in both structure and function.

Bone grafts have been used for decades in a variety of medical and dental procedures, including dental implant placements, periodontal regeneration, and reconstructive surgeries following traumatic injury or congenital abnormalities. Thanks to advances in processing techniques and sterilization protocols, bone grafts are considered to be highly safe, with a low risk of complications.