Skip to main content

Bone Grafts

Bone Grafting and Dental Implants

At Desert Pearl Dentistry, we believe that dental implants offer the best solution for replacing lost permanent teeth. However, in certain cases, our dentist may recommend a bone graft prior to implant placement to ensure optimal success. (For patients opting for All-on-4®, bone grafting may not be necessary.)

A young woman with long auburn hair smiles warmly at the camera, wearing traditional metal braces on her teeth.

When is bone grafting necessary?

Bone grafting is a common procedure, especially for patients receiving traditional dental implants. It is typically recommended when the jawbone has insufficient density to securely hold an implant. This may occur when a tooth has been missing for an extended period or if the external bone wall is thin or too soft. Bone grafts help restore bone density and prevent further bone loss, making them essential for creating a strong foundation for a dental implant.

Book an Appointment

A bearded man in a tan sweater smiles naturally in an outdoor setting with soft greenery in the background.

What is bone grafting?

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that uses specialized bone material to restore the structure of your jawbone. It is most commonly needed before dental implants can be placed, particularly when bone has been lost due to tooth extraction, gum disease, or an injury. The material used in your graft depends on your specific anatomy, the extent of bone loss, and which option your dentist determines will produce the most predictable result. Desert Pearl Dentistry offers all four graft types, and your dentist will walk through the options with you before any procedure is planned.

Autograft

An autograft uses bone taken directly from your own body, typically from another part of your jaw, your hip, or your shin bone. Because the material is your own living bone, it carries the highest potential for integration and new bone growth. This option is often recommended when a larger volume of bone is needed or when other graft types have not produced adequate results.

Autografts have a documented success rate above 95% in clinical studies

A consecutive review of 279 patients and 456 bone graft procedures found that autologous bone grafts healed successfully in more than 95% of cases, making them the most extensively studied option in dental bone augmentation.

“Four hundred thirty-six (95.6%) of the bone grafts healed successfully”

Sakkas A et al., Autogenous Bone Grafts in Oral Implantology: A Consecutive Review of 279 Patients with 456 Clinical Procedures, International Journal of Implant Dentistry, indexed by the National Institutes of Health, 2017

Allograft

An allograft uses donated human bone that has been processed, sterilized, and screened through a certified tissue bank. The material is prepared to remove cells while preserving the structural proteins that support your body’s own bone-forming process. Allografts are widely used in dental bone grafting because they eliminate the need for a second surgical site on your own body.

Bone grafting produces implant success rates comparable to placement in native bone

A retrospective analysis of more than 45,000 grafted implant sites across a national healthcare network found that augmented sites achieve outcomes equivalent to implants placed without grafting, confirming that bone grafting is a reliable and predictable preparation for implant placement.

“The augmented cohort demonstrated a high clinical success rate of 97.83% (2.17% failure), statistically comparable to the general implant population”

Findler M et al., Clinical Success Rates of Dental Implants with Bone Grafting in a Large-Scale National Dataset, Journal of Functional Biomaterials, indexed by the National Institutes of Health, 2026

Xenograft

A xenograft uses bone material derived from an animal source, most commonly bovine (cow) bone. The material is processed to remove all organic content, leaving behind a mineral scaffold that your body gradually replaces with its own natural bone over time. Xenografts are a well-established option in dental implant preparation and are supported by decades of clinical research.

Bovine xenografts are associated with favorable long-term outcomes and reliable implant survival rates

A 2025 systematic review covering 20 years of studies found that bovine-derived xenografts consistently support bone regeneration and high implant survival rates in dental procedures, based on analysis of 11 qualifying clinical studies.

“The current evidence suggests that bovine-derived xenografts, particularly Bio-Oss®, are associated with favorable long-term outcomes in bone regenerative procedures, demonstrating satisfactory graft integration and implant survival rates”

Wang H and Kang J, A Histological and Clinical Evaluation of Long-Term Outcomes of Bovine Bone-Derived Xenografts in Oral Surgery: A Systematic Review, indexed by the National Institutes of Health, 2025

Alloplast (Synthetic)

An alloplast uses an FDA-cleared synthetic material engineered to be compatible with human tissue. These materials mimic the mineral structure of natural bone and act as a scaffold that encourages your body to generate new bone in the grafted area. Synthetic grafts carry no risk of disease transmission and are a reliable option for patients who prefer to avoid donor-sourced material.

Alloplastic hydroxyapatite grafts have shown a 98.5% implant success rate at three-year follow-up

A clinical case series tracking 69 dental implants over three years found that synthetic hydroxyapatite grafting effectively increased bone volume and supported osseointegration in patients with significant bone loss, producing results consistent with more traditional graft materials.

“With an average follow up of three years after the installation of the prostheses, an implant success rate of 98.5% was observed, showing integration and functional stability”

Long-Term Success of Dental Implants in Atrophic Maxillae: A 3-Year Case Series Using Hydroxyapatite and L-PRF, indexed by the National Institutes of Health, 2025

The Bone Graft Procedure

The bone grafting procedure typically begins with a small incision in the gum to expose the underlying jawbone. The grafting material is then applied to the affected area, acting as a “scaffold” for new bone growth. Over time, your body integrates the graft material, and it becomes part of the jawbone.

The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and can often be completed in a single visit. If you opt for an autograft, there will be two surgical sites: one for harvesting the bone and another for placing the graft. Any discomfort is typically manageable with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and ice therapy.

Though the recovery from the bone grafting procedure is relatively quick, the process of bone maturation can take several months. Once your jawbone has fully healed and integrated the graft, it will be ready to support a dental implant that not only looks natural but also functions like a real tooth.

Book an Appointment

Want to know more?

If you’re interested in learning more about bone grafting and how it can benefit your dental implants, contact Desert Pearl Dentistry in Rancho Mirage, CA today to schedule a complimentary consultation. We’re here to help you restore your smile and improve your oral health!

Book an Appointment

Contact Info

72000 Magnesia Falls Dr Suite 1
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Phone: 760-568-0130

Office Hours

Mon - Thurs:
–
Fri - Sun:
Closed

Special Offer

  • Dental Implants (Save $600)
  • All-On-4 (Save $3,000)
  • Invisalign Clear Aligner (Save $2,000)
Book an Appointment

©2026 Desert Pearl Dentistry. Designed and Managed by ViziSites. Terms of Use. Website Accessibility.

Rancho Mirage
Palm Springs