Bone Grafting


Oral & Facial Surgery Centers of MA provides jaw bone grafting to patients in Cambridge & Burlington, MA.
Contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment.


Bone grafting may be required to address defects in a patient’s jaw. Bone grafting is a form of reconstructive surgery that helps to generate and rebuild bone and increase bone density.

Bone grafting surgery is performed to correct problems that may be the result of:

  • Defects present from birth
  • Trauma
  • Removal of a tumor
  • Tooth loss and subsequent loss of bone in the related jaw area

Minor Bone Grafting


The most common bone grafting procedure is performed to enhance the upper or lower jaw bone in order to increase bone quantity and density in preparation for the placement of dental implants.

When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone often is often affected over time. Patients without enough jaw bone mass are not candidates for dental implants. Bone grafting is often performed to reverse bone loss or enhance existing bone, allowing for the placement of dental implants after the bone graft has healed and created the necessary foundation for the implants.

Bone grafting for the purpose of rebuilding jaw bone to support dental implants can usually be done in our office. The surgeon may recommend that the grafting material be taken from the patient's own bone or from another source. Synthetic material can also be used to generate bone growth. Bone grafting allows for proper support of dental implants or prostheses. Healing time prior to the placement of the implants is generally between 4 - 6 months, though it can sometimes take longer.


Major Bone Grafting


For more extensive bone grafting procedures, such as the correction of congenital defects, a hospital setting is required and grafting material may be taken from other areas such as the skull or hip.


Bone Grafting Procedures


  • Socket Preservation

    Socket preservation is a procedure performed after an extraction to help reduce bone loss. Bone grafting material or bone growth enhancing elements are placed into the socket where the extracted tooth was removed to prevent resorption of bone and to stimulate your body’s own natural capacity to regenerate bone. Bone resorption can cause interfere with plans for restorative treatments such as dental implants, crowns or bridges. These restorations require a solid support system and socket preservation can help provide a dependable foundation.

  • Ridge Augmentation

    Ridge Augmentation involves placing a regenerative bone grafting material into and around the empty tooth socket immediately following an extraction. This type of bone graft is used to to rebuild the ridge of bone that is left weakened and unsupported. Augmentation can help rebuild the natural lines of the bone and can also help re-establish the bone’s width and height for a future dental implant.

To schedule an appointment, contact us in Burlington at 781-272-0800 or Cambridge at 617-468-3100.