Home > Procedures > Bone Grafting

You may have deficient bone material in your jaw for several reasons, including advancing age, smoking, diabetes, poor health, and untreated infection. In addition, if you are missing one or more teeth, your body may begin to resorb bone from areas of tooth loss. This can create an unaesthetic gap and a poor foundation for restoration with dental implants.

Dr. Gocke, Dr. Nguyen, and Dr. McAdams use bone grafting and growth factors to shore up areas of weakness in the jaw. Most frequently, they perform bone grafting as part of the dental implant process at Virginia Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery. They also use the treatment for patients after removing a cyst or tumor or in reconstructive oral surgeries.

Our oral & maxillofacial surgeons leverage their training and experience as oral and maxillofacial surgeons to conduct bone grafting in a way that is gentle, accurate, and durable. They utilize state-of-the-art technology, including 3-D CT scans, to determine the type of grafting a patient requires and to plan for each procedure in as much detail as possible.

Why Bone Grafting and Why Our Practice?

Bone grafts create a strong foundation for patients who are receiving dental implants. In addition, when patients need a reconstructive procedure, grafts support the facial structure of cheeks and lips for more aesthetic outcomes.

Dr. Gocke spent years in advanced training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, one of the top oral surgery programs in the country. His experience in bone grafting promotes long-term, high-quality results for his patients. Beyond his technical skill, Dr. Gocke’s attentive and personal approach helps patients understand their treatment options and make the best decisions for their care. He, Drs. Nguyen and McAdams, and their team are focused on patient comfort before, during, and after bone grafting procedures.

An Overview of Bone Grafting With Virginia Oral, Facial & Implant Surgery

Your Consultation

Your general dentist may recommend bone grafting after reviewing your X-rays and recognizing areas of weakness in your jaw. Alternatively, Dr. Gocke, Dr. Nguyen, and Dr. McAdams may identify this need in the process of planning your dental implants, treating pathology, or preparing for reconstructive surgery.

Our oral & maxillofacial surgeons will explain the bone grafting process during your initial visit to our practice in McLean, VA. Most of these procedures are very straightforward, comfortable, and easy for patients. It’s generally a matter of putting the bone grafting material into the site where patients need it.

As part of the treatment, Dr. Gocke, Dr. Nguyen, and Dr. McAdams often use platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to improve healing in the surgical site. This substance, derived from your own blood, has special regenerative qualities, such as reducing inflammation and boosting immunity. Producing PRF is a process that our surgeons perform in-office.

Many of the bone grafts that Dr. Gocke, Dr. Nguyen, and Dr. McAdams place are to prepare the foundation for dental implants. They will use different bone-grafting techniques depending on where you need the implant. Most notably, restoring a tooth at the back of the jaw, near the sinus, requires a more advanced surgical approach.

Bone Grafting for Most Dental Implants

Dr. Gocke, Dr. Nguyen, and Dr. McAdams will place bone material into the cavity and then add a tissue membrane on top. This membrane will separate the gums from the bone tissue, keeping the bone in place. Typically, patients experience minimal discomfort and swelling as a result of treatment.

Sinus Lift

Your sinuses are empty cavities next to the back of your jaw. If you need to have a dental implant placed near a sinus cavity, Dr. Gocke may perform bone grafting in the sinus. This will allow the implant to anchor into solid bone.

Dr. Gocke applies two different approaches to sinus bone grafting:

  1. Following the prep site. Our oral surgeons will use specialized instruments to operate through the site where they will place the dental implant. They will push up the sinus floor to move it out of the way of the dental implant, and they may also add bone material in this space.
  2. Creating a window. This more invasive approach is sometimes necessary in complex cases. As part of the process, Dr. Gocke, Dr. Nguyen, or Dr. McAdams will make a small window in the upper jaw and add bone below the sinus membrane.

Regardless of the technique that your surgeon uses, you can expect skilled, compassionate care and a collaborative, transparent approach to your treatment.

Your Aftercare Experience

You will come in for a follow-up appointment with Dr. Gocke, Dr. Nguyen, or Dr. McAdams about a week after bone grafting. Most patients need about three months for the new bone to integrate fully with their jaw. At that point, one of our oral & maxillofacial surgeons will again check your surgical site with 3-D CT scans.

If you are receiving bone grafts as part of treatment with dental implants, Dr. Gocke, Dr. Nguyen, and Dr. McAdams will evaluate whether the bone has strengthened enough to begin that process. At every stage, his top concerns are providing you with the best quality of care, comfort, and functionality.

Whether you are planning for dental implants or your dentist recommends bone grafting to strengthen the bone in your jaw, explore treatment with our surgeons. Patients can contact Virginia Oral, Facial & Implant Treatment at (703) 388-2805 or online for a consultation.