How Long Does a Bone Graft Last Without an Implant?

If you’re missing teeth and considering dental implants, your dentist will check your jawbone to see if it’s strong enough. If there’s been bone loss where your teeth were, a bone graft can help build it back up and create a solid foundation for the implants.

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure. But there’s no need for you to worry as your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the area so you won’t feel much pain. They’ll make a small cut in your gum tissue to access the jawbone.

Then, they’ll add the bone graft material (which can come from different sources) and stitch the gum tissue closed. While you might feel a bit sore for the first few weeks, it usually takes around 9 months for your jawbone to fully heal after a bone graft.

A bone graft usually fuses permanently with your natural jawbone and can last a long time. However, they need stimulation to stay healthy, just like how exercise keeps muscles strong. When you chew, your jawbone gets a workout. But if you don’t get a dental implant after a bone graft, the new bone won’t receive this stimulation.

This lack of stimulation can lead to gradual bone loss in the grafted area. This happens most rapidly in the first year but can continue at a slower pace over time.

The best way to prevent jawbone loss is to place a dental implant once the bone graft heals. Dental implants act like natural tooth roots, stimulating the jawbone during chewing and preventing resorption.

Traditional dentures and bridges, unfortunately, don’t have roots (except for implant-supported options). This means they can’t stimulate the jawbone in the same way as implants and bone loss may occur over time.

A bone graft can last a long time on its own. It’s best to get a dental implant eventually. This is because your jawbone needs stimulation from chewing to stay healthy, and an implant acts like a natural tooth root to keep things strong.

If you have any questions about bone grafts, dental implants, or the wait time between them, we’re here to help. ACE Dental of Texas offers both procedures. Just give us a call at (833) 777-7223 to schedule an appointment and discuss your options.