We regularly think of our bones as rigorous and immutable materials in our bodies, but the truth is that our bones are continually remodeling. Remodeling is the process by which old bone is replaced by newer, strengthened bone, and new bone cells are stored while old bone cells are recycled. This process can sometimes cause bone damage or eroding, especially with regard to the bones that retain our teeth in place. When we reach adulthood or are afflicted with illness or disease, tooth loss may be preceded by the process of resorption, in which the neighboring bone begins to be resorbed back into the body. As we start losing more teeth and the bone structure around our teeth change, our facial features may droop. Medical advances, however, have been able to assist with restoring this bone loss via bone grafting, a procedure that constructs bone and can restore your teeth and facial structure.

While bone grafting may appear to be a major operation, it is usually performed in our dentist’s office. The procedure itself entails making a small laceration in the gums and then inserting grafting substance into the bones through the incision. The grafting material is made up of minerals that cause your body to produce new bone, causing your body to deposit and construct bone on its own over time. The grafting material is available in various forms, such as powder, granules, and a gel that can be injected with a syringe. This substance can come from an animal or even yourself, and it is cleaned and sterile in a laboratory. Following the placement of the bone graft, it is usually coated with a thin membrane that serves as a framework for the new bone to be placed upon.