Bone Grafting for Dental Implants in Houston, TX
Been told you don't have enough bone for dental implants? Bone grafting rebuilds the jaw so implants can be placed securely. At Texas Dental Implant Center, bone grafting is performed by Dr. Michel Azer — a board-certified periodontist who specializes in the bone and tissue that support your teeth.
What Is Bone Grafting?
Bone grafting is a procedure that adds bone material to your jaw where it's been lost. The graft provides a scaffold for your body to grow new bone on top of. Over several months, the graft integrates with your natural bone, creating a foundation dense and strong enough to support dental implants.
You lose jawbone when teeth are missing. Without a tooth root (or implant) stimulating the bone, it gradually resorbs — shrinks away. The longer teeth are missing, the more bone you lose. Dentures accelerate this because they press on the gums without stimulating the bone underneath.
Bone grafting reverses that. It restores the volume and density your jaw needs for successful implant placement.
Types of Bone Grafts Dr. Azer Performs
Socket Preservation Graft
Placed immediately after a tooth extraction to prevent bone loss in the empty socket. This is the most common type and sets you up for an implant later.
Ridge Augmentation
Rebuilds the width or height of the jawbone ridge when significant bone has been lost. Used when the jaw has narrowed or shrunk after long-term tooth loss.
Sinus Lift
Adds bone below the sinus cavity in the upper jaw. The sinuses sit right above your upper back teeth, and bone loss in that area can make the bone too thin for implants. A sinus lift builds it back up.
Block Bone Graft
A larger graft using a block of bone to rebuild areas with severe bone loss. Used in more complex cases.
Dr. Azer determines which type you need based on your 3D scan. Some grafts can be done at the same time as implant placement. Others need to heal first before implants go in.
Do You Need a Bone Graft?
Not everyone does. Many patients have enough bone for implants without grafting. But you may need one if:
- •You've been missing teeth for a long period and the bone has resorbed
- •You've worn dentures for years (dentures accelerate bone loss)
- •You had a tooth extracted without a socket preservation graft
- •You have periodontal (gum) disease that has damaged the bone
- •Your upper back jaw is too close to the sinus cavity for implants
The only way to know is a 3D scan. Dr. Azer evaluates your bone volume and density during your free consultation and tells you whether grafting is needed — and if so, which type.
Why Bone Grafting Should Be Done by a Periodontist
Bone grafting is not a general dentistry procedure. It's oral surgery that involves manipulating bone and soft tissue in your jaw.
Dr. Azer is a board-certified periodontist — a specialist in the hard and soft tissue structures of the mouth. His three-year surgical residency at Boston University was focused specifically on bone, gum tissue, and the structures that support teeth and implants.
That training matters because the success of a bone graft depends on technique: how the tissue is opened, where and how the graft material is placed, how blood supply is maintained, and how the site is closed. A specialist handles these details differently than a generalist.
What to Expect
3D Scan + Evaluation
Dr. Azer scans your jaw and identifies exactly where bone is deficient and how much grafting is needed.
The Procedure
The graft site is opened, bone material is placed, and the area is closed. Depending on the type of graft, this takes 30 minutes to an hour. Done under local anesthesia or IV sedation.
Healing (3-6 Months)
Your body grows new bone around the graft material. This takes time — typically 3-6 months depending on the size and location of the graft. You'll be comfortable during this period.
Implant Placement
Once the graft has integrated and your bone is strong enough, Dr. Azer places your implants.
In some cases, a bone graft and implant can be done in the same appointment. Dr. Azer determines this based on your specific case.
Bone Grafting Cost in Houston
Bone grafting costs vary depending on the type and extent of the graft. Dr. Azer provides a specific quote during your consultation after reviewing your 3D scan.
Bone grafting is quoted separately from your implant package so you know exactly what each component costs. No hidden fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does bone grafting hurt?+
The procedure is done under local anesthesia or IV sedation — you won't feel pain during it. Afterward, most patients experience mild to moderate soreness for a few days, managed with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication.
How long does bone grafting take to heal?+
Most bone grafts take 3-6 months to fully integrate with your natural bone. The healing time depends on the type and size of the graft. Dr. Azer monitors your progress before clearing you for implant placement.
Can bone grafting and implant placement happen at the same time?+
Sometimes, yes. If the graft is minor (like a socket preservation) and enough stable bone exists to anchor the implant, both can be done in one appointment. Dr. Azer determines this based on your case.
What is a sinus lift?+
A sinus lift is a bone graft that adds bone below the sinus cavity in the upper jaw. It's needed when the bone between your sinuses and upper teeth is too thin for implant placement. It's one of the more common grafting procedures for upper arch implants.
Is bone grafting safe?+
Yes. Bone grafting has been performed for decades with high success rates. As with any surgery, there are risks, but complications are uncommon — especially when performed by a specialist. Dr. Azer's training as a board-certified periodontist minimizes these risks.
What bone graft material is used?+
Several types are available — human donor bone, synthetic bone, and bovine (animal-derived) bone are the most common. Dr. Azer selects the material based on the type and location of your graft. He discusses your options during the consultation.
Find Out If You Need Bone Grafting
The only way to know is a 3D scan of your jaw. Dr. Azer evaluates your bone during a free consultation and tells you straight — do you need grafting, or do you have enough bone for implants as-is.
1811 Bering Dr, Suite 110, Houston, TX 77057
Medically reviewed by Dr. Michel Azer, DDS, CAGS, MSD — Board-Certified Periodontist