Bone Grafting
& Bone Regeneration
in Dallas–Fort Worth
Bone loss doesn’t have to disqualify you from dental implants. DFWOMS’s board-certified oral surgeons use advanced bone grafting and regeneration techniques to rebuild the jawbone — restoring the foundation needed for implants, prosthetics, and long-term oral health at our Irving, Mesquite, and Ennis locations.
The foundation every dental implant depends on
Dental implants are anchored directly into the jawbone. For an implant to integrate successfully and function long-term, there must be adequate bone volume, density, and quality at the placement site. Unfortunately, bone loss is a common consequence of tooth loss, gum disease, trauma, infection, and certain medical conditions — and it begins almost immediately after a tooth is removed.
When bone loss has already occurred, patients who might otherwise be ideal implant candidates may appear ineligible at first evaluation. Bone grafting and bone regeneration procedures change that. These techniques rebuild the jawbone to create the conditions needed for successful implant placement — and in many cases can also correct jaw deformities caused by birth defects, injury, or disease.
Bone grafting vs. bone regeneration
DFWOMS offers both of the primary approaches to jawbone restoration. While both achieve the same goal — creating a stable bone foundation — they work differently and are selected based on your specific clinical needs.
Bone grafting involves placing donor bone material into the deficient area of the jaw. The graft material acts as a scaffold that your body grows new bone into and around over time, eventually incorporating the graft into the natural jawbone. Donor material can come from several sources — your own body (autograft), a cadaver bone bank (allograft), animal-derived material (xenograft), or synthetic substitutes (alloplast). Our surgeons select the most appropriate type based on the size of the defect, your overall health, and your treatment goals.
Bone regeneration takes a different approach — it harnesses your body’s own ability to grow new bone tissue. A biocompatible membrane or matrix is placed at the targeted site, creating a protected space. Bone-stimulating proteins and growth factors are introduced to signal the body to generate new bone in that space. Over time, the area fills with new bone that the body produces naturally. This approach is particularly effective for smaller defects and can be combined with grafting for larger areas.
Common reasons patients require bone grafting
Choosing the right material for your case
The source and type of graft material used depends on the size of the defect, the location, and your specific clinical situation. Our surgeons will explain the recommendation and the reasons for it at your consultation.
Bone harvested from another site in your own body — such as the chin, the back of the jaw, or the hip — and transplanted to the deficient area. Autografts contain living bone cells and growth factors, making them the gold standard for bone regeneration potential. The trade-off is a second surgical site for harvesting.
Processed bone from a human cadaver donor, prepared and sterilized by a certified bone bank. Allograft is widely used, clinically well-documented, safe, and very effective at stimulating the patient’s own bone to grow into the graft site. It eliminates the need for a second surgical harvest site, which reduces operative time and post-operative discomfort.
Typically derived from bovine (cow) bone that has been processed to remove all organic material, leaving a mineral scaffold that the body’s own bone can grow into. Xenografts are biocompatible, widely used, and very effective as a scaffold for new bone formation. They are commonly used in socket preservation and sinus augmentation procedures.
Synthetic bone substitutes made from biocompatible materials such as hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, or bioactive glass. These materials provide a scaffold for bone ingrowth without any donor source. They are a good option for patients who prefer to avoid donor tissue, and are often combined with other graft types for larger defects.
Sinus lift (sinus augmentation)
The upper back jaw presents a unique challenge for implant placement. In this region, the sinus cavity sits just above the bone — and after tooth loss, the sinus can expand downward, leaving very little bone height for an implant.
A sinus lift — also called sinus augmentation — is a bone grafting procedure specific to the upper jaw. Our surgeon accesses the sinus membrane through a small window in the bone of the upper jaw, gently elevates the sinus floor, and places bone graft material in the newly created space beneath it. Over the following months, the graft material integrates with the surrounding bone — creating the height needed to support upper jaw implants. A sinus lift can be performed as a separate procedure or, in some cases, at the same time as implant placement.
What to expect, step by step
We evaluate the quantity and quality of your existing bone using a 3D Cone Beam CT scan. This gives our surgeons a precise picture of the defect — its size, location, and relationship to adjacent structures like nerves and sinuses — and guides the selection of the most appropriate grafting approach and material.
Our surgeons outline a complete treatment plan that includes the grafting procedure, the expected healing timeline, and the projected timing for implant placement. We discuss realistic expectations about the extension to your overall treatment timeline — and why that investment improves the long-term outcome of your implants.
The bone grafting or regeneration procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure at our office under local anesthesia or IV sedation. Our surgeons prepare the deficient site, place the graft material, and cover it with a membrane when indicated. The procedure length varies based on the size and complexity of the defect being treated.
The graft integrates with your existing bone as new bone forms within and around the material. This process typically takes 3–6 months, depending on the size of the graft and the location. During this period we monitor healing with follow-up visits and imaging to confirm that bone formation is progressing as expected before proceeding to implant placement.
Once the graft has fully integrated and adequate bone volume is confirmed, implant placement proceeds on a sound, stable foundation. In some cases — particularly with smaller grafts or simultaneous socket preservation — implants can be placed at the same appointment as the graft, reducing the overall treatment timeline. Your surgeon will advise whether this is appropriate for your case.
Expert bone grafting care in Dallas–Fort Worth
Common questions about bone grafting & regeneration
In most cases, yes. Bone grafting can rebuild the jaw to create the volume needed for implant placement — even in patients with significant bone loss. The extent of grafting required depends on how much bone remains and what the implant plan calls for. We evaluate each patient individually with 3D imaging and will give you an honest assessment of what is possible. Do not assume you are not a candidate without a consultation at DFWOMS.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation, so there is no pain during surgery. Post-operative discomfort is manageable — most patients describe it as similar to a tooth extraction. Our opioid-free pain management protocol keeps recovery comfortable. If a secondary donor site (such as the chin or jaw) is used for autograft harvesting, there will be additional soreness at that site, but this typically resolves within 1–2 weeks.
Bone grafts typically require 3–6 months of healing before implants can be placed, depending on the size and type of graft. Sinus lifts may require up to 6–9 months in some cases. While this does extend the overall treatment timeline, it is important to understand that this time investment significantly improves the long-term success and stability of your implants. In select cases — particularly smaller socket grafts — implants can be placed simultaneously with the graft, which our surgeons will evaluate at your consultation.
Yes. Allograft bone used in dental procedures is processed and sterilized by accredited tissue banks under strict regulatory oversight. It has an excellent long-term safety record and is used routinely in oral surgery, orthopedics, and reconstructive surgery worldwide. The risk of disease transmission is extremely low — comparable to receiving a blood transfusion. Our surgeons use only certified, high-quality allograft materials and will discuss any concerns you have at your consultation.
A sinus lift is a bone grafting procedure specific to the upper back jaw, where the sinus cavity sits close to or directly above the implant site. When there is insufficient bone height in this area — often because the sinus has expanded after tooth loss — a sinus lift raises the sinus floor and adds bone below it. Whether you need one depends on the height and quality of bone at your specific implant site, which we determine using 3D imaging at your evaluation.
Coverage varies by plan and clinical indication. Some insurance plans cover bone grafting when it is deemed medically necessary — such as for jaw reconstruction following trauma or disease. Coverage for grafting related to implant preparation is less consistent. We accept most major dental insurance providers and Medicaid at all three of our locations, and offer CareCredit and LendingClub financing. Our team will review your benefits before your procedure — contact us before your consultation.
Build the foundation — then build the smile.
Our oral surgeons in Irving, Mesquite, and Ennis are ready to evaluate your bone volume and create a personalized plan to get you implant-ready. Schedule your consultation today.