Waiting Period After Bone Grafting?

posted in Bone Grafting

« Mandibular Bar Overdenture | Major Paradigm Shift in the Dental Implant Market? »

Print This Post

Kate, a dental implant patient asks us:

Do most dental implants require bone grafting? Furthermore, if bone grafting is in the treatment plan, how long do patients need to wait before a dental implant is placed?

  I was told most people need to wait approximately 2 months to let the bone graft take proper
“hold”.  I was willing to wait the 2 months, but the eager periodontist
grafted and placed the dental implant at the same time. I ended up needing sinus surgery. I think the
periodontist should have stayed with the original treatment plan, and let the bone
graft “sit” for 2 months.  Area of #11.  What are your thoughts?  I had
a bad experience , but would like to help others avoid what happened to
me. Thanks for any advice.

Have an Implant Question?
>>Ask Us Now!

Free Daily Email Alert Click Here>>

Get OsseoNews.com Comments delivered daily! Click Here to subscribe.

5 Responses to “ Waiting Period After Bone Grafting? ”

  • doctorstahl June 6th, 2006

    The answer is not that simple. whether to graft depends on a number of factor including: is it a small defect or large., is the defect small after the placement of the implant. As for how long to wait, it actually depends on the material used but in any case I know of no material thjat I currently use that only needs 2 months to set. The best material I use has a minimum time (for me) of 12 - 14 weeks. Some take up to 40 weeks. So as you can see the answer is not simple

  • Robert J. Miller June 6th, 2006

    A bone graft is simply a filler that acts as a scaffold for angiogensis and ultimate bone growth. While bone growth can be enhanced by the inclusion of specific growth factors, the maturation of stress bearing lamellar bone takes longer than two months. Grafting at time of implant placement is certainly an accepted paradigm, but must be carried out with caution and attention to detail. The TYPE of graft material can also alter resorption time. Remember, implants integrate to bone, not grafts.

  • rbk June 11th, 2006

    It is a rare situation in this day and age when bone grafting is not needed in conjunction with implant placement. considering that the great majority of implants are placed as single fixtures, it only reasons they are ususally associated with a very recent tooth loss. why are these teeth lost? Most likely due to a non restorable re-restoration, endodontic failure, or root fracture. these are ususally associated wtih some type of inflammatory response that damages the osseous housing. If one should place the implants as an immediate placment, bone grafting has been shown to result in less loss of the socket walls. If the implant is delayed, the graft will re-establsih the site and also prevent the loss of bone.
    this does not even account for the long standing sites of resorption that need augmentation for positioning or in the maxillary posterior region, length.
    As the field of implant dentistry has advanced, we know that integration is all but a given. the key is fixture placement. That eliminates soft tissue pathology and the laboratory gymnastics with all of the prosthetic layering.

    Preparation of the site for the most ideal fixture placement to get the best implant to bone to soft tissue relationship for the planned restoration should be the ultimate goal. If bone grafting does this, then JUST DO IT and wait. It is my philosphic opinion that to save a few months on the front end does not justify a compromise for the rest of one’s life or the life of the implant whichever ends first.

  • Anonymous June 16th, 2006

    be sure to ask for references and studies to back any grafting material claims. They are not all the same and many “generic” or “knock offs” have entered the market. Stick with the leaders and you will not have to wonder if you will have bone for implant placement.

  • michelle September 11th, 2006

    what are the statistics on recieving an implant that is defective, mechanically…and has to be removed?

Leave a Comment

Note: Please refrain from ad hominem attacks, and promotional comments. Outside links are not permitted in comments. Though we require an email to route questionable comments to our editors, we will NEVER publish your email or use it for any other purpose. Thank you for your understanding.


Note: At times your comment may not appear on the website immediately, because it has been sent to our editors for approval. Once approved, we will publish the comment. There is NO need to resubmit your comment, if it does not appear on the website immediately.