The jawbone must be robust and strong enough to support dental implants and other restorative operations. The jawbone may have gotten too thin to adequately support an implant when periodontal disease has taken hold. One of the finest ways to encourage growth and thicken the jawbone is natural bone regeneration (also known as bone grafting).

The first source of bone grafting material is either a bone bank or another area of the patient’s body. In order to create a space in the jawbone where the grafting material would be snugly packed, the gums are gently pushed back. To facilitate faster healing, a membrane is employed to keep the form of the new bone, and tissue stimulating proteins and a platelet-rich growth factor may be used. In addition to being stuffed with padding, the surgical site will be sutured. The bone will ultimately gradually repair and strengthen to the point where it can sustain an implant.