Ask the Implantologist: Do I Need a Bone Graft?

In the event that a patient doesn’t have the adequate amount of bone structure for dental implants after they have lost a tooth, a dental surgeon may have to harvest the patient’s native bone to increase the bone volume in these areas.

As part of a patient’s implant treatment process, the insufficient bone volume may present a stumbling block. This is due to the implant screw needing a solid structure to bear the pressure of daily oral function.

The Initial Consultation and CT Scan are Key to this Question

The initial consultation has vital importance in establishing a proper diagnosis and creating a suitable treatment plan for each patient.

During your consultation, our implantologists will go through your medical and dental history, discuss your expectations, and undertake a clinical observation of your mouth and adjacent areas. Your CT scan will help us understand whether there is sufficient bone volume in order to place the implants, or if a bone graft is required. The CT scan is essential to creating an accurate treatment plan which will minimise the chance of hidden costs.

The difference between normal x-rays, such as a panoramic x-ray, and CT scans is that typical x-rays are presented in 2D and therefore don’t allow the assessment of bone volume. Meanwhile, CT scans are tridimensional images, which enable a comprehensive assessment of bone presence. This includes the analysis of vital structures in the surrounding areas and pathological areas. In layman terms: without a CT scan, the implantologist cannot tell if a patient has enough bone, if they need a bone graft and ultimately whether or not they are a candidate for dental implants.

  • A patient’s tooth was extracted without a socket graft placed in immediately for a new implant or a re-implantation of a tooth.
  • An instance where a patient has suffered a lot of bone damage & loss from a tumour, infection, or cysts.
  • There could be a situation where a patient’s jaw bone area was congenitally missing which would result in damage to the normal bone structure that would be in place to support the tooth which never fully developed.
  • Dental trauma can also cause a patient to have significant bone loss.

Different Bone Grafting Techniques to Support Specific Needs

In the event that a patient doesn’t have the adequate bone structure for dental implants, there are several bone grafting techniques that can restore bone condition, allowing the implantologist to place the dental implant.

Each technique used is dependent on the type of bone defect, the quantity of bone to be restored and the location of the bone defect. During the initial consultation, the implantologist will discuss with you your bone condition in the area where implants are intended to be placed and, if a bone graft is necessary, what is involved and what technique will be employed.

Geistlich BioMaterials

Used for 95% of bone grafting procedures at our practice, Geistlich are market leaders in biomaterials for regenerative dentistry. Primarily, we use Bio-Oss and Bio-Gide in our bone grafting treatments.

When used tandem, Bio Oss and Bio Gide provide long-term implant survival rates and positively aesthetic results for Marylebone Implant Centre patients. Ask our team about the benefits of biomaterials in bone grafting treatments!

Teresa Wickford
Patient

My initial thoughts on dental implants was with hesitation but, having gone through the experience at the excellent M.I.C. I wish I had had them sooner. My first visit for a consultation with the totally professional Dr Santos was so relaxed and friendly my confidence was established straight away and I decided to go ahead. Every step of my treatment was explained to me and any questions immediately dealt with by Dr Santos and his team who I feel gave me the highest quality service I could have had. I would highly recommend the M.I.C to anyone considering dental implants for this gentleman’s skill and expertise.

Martin Rainsford
Patient

After many years living with a chrome cobalt partial denture I thought it was time to seriously investigate dental implants. The whole process from initial assessment/treatment plan to the finished product was amazing. I cannot get over the results MIC achieved. I can eat food that I wouldn’t dream of tackling with my denture a year ago. Dr Santos and his team are so friendly and professional. I have no hesitation in recommending the MIC.

Vince Kerrigan
Patient

I’ve just finished my treatment with the Marylebone Implant Centre and I’m delighted with the results. My expectations were truly exceeded! Prior to commencing treatment I met with Miriam to discuss my concerns (and wants) and to consider my options. Miriam conducted a full assessment and the output was a clear plan containing recommendations as well as options. Several months later my treatment is finished and I now have a smile I’m very proud of. Miriam and Francisco are clearly excellent dentists however, what kept me coming back, is that they both care about the welfare of their patients and are determined to achieve the results the patient wants. They keep at it until they (and the patient) are happy. The entire team are extremely professional and passionate about achieving the outcome the patient wants. Thanks Miriam, Francisco, Lyn, Sonia and Ellison for a pleasurable experience. You’re lovely people!

Nina Stone
Patient

I attended the Marylebone Implant Centre with a multitude of problems including advanced perio, bone loss and tooth decay. I was in need of urgent help. Dr Francisco Marques dos Santos took on board my case and recommended a plan of treatment. The plan included extensive bone grafting, several extractions, bridge and implant work. The treatment went through many stages and spanned over two years. Dr Francisco Marques dos Santos carried out all the operations with great professionalism and care. He was there at every stage, unfazed by any complications, always supportive. The final result is brilliant, outstanding. Thank you!!!

Hamilton Hawksworth
Patient

A friend and neighbour were looking to have possible implants done. When we spoke about this, I said I would probably need implants done as my current bridge was becoming loose. I came for an assessment and was impressed with everyone at the Practice. All the staff were friendly and informative. As I needed bone grafts with the correct healing time, the process has been long, but I am now 3 weeks away from finishing treatment. I am thoroughly impressed with everything they have done.

Joan Wallace
Patient

I had an ongoing infection in my upper gum and was referred to MIC by my dentist. I was treated by Dr. Molins and Dr. Santos to a totally professional, considerate, warm and caring experience. I was timely, accurately both informally and formally told about what to expect as a patient and the treatment I received was 2nd to none in that nothing was too much for them to do to enable me to receive all that I could want and wish for from both a bone graft and implant.

Robin Glen
Patient

I had made numerous contacts and researched what I was looking for in the dental procedure I required. From the first meeting with Dr Santos at the Marylebone implant clinic every thing became easily explained and confidence in him was immediate. The high level of expertise and treatment over the following 9 months of treatment was explained in detailed easy to understand appointments. The end result was far above my expectations and now have no feeling of implants with a natural feel. I have visited my previous private dentist with whom I have been for many years and he commented that the work had been the best he had seen. He now is recommending Dr.Santos for referrals. I cannot recommend the practice high enough and would not object to future patients contacting myself.

Mark Doig
Patient

From my 1st consultation through to the final fitting of my implants my experience with Marylebone Implant Centre has been incredible. Everyone I met was incredibly professional and went out of their way to ensure that I fully understood the options available and all aspects of my treatment. I am incredibly happy with my implants and although finding a specialist that I felt I could trust to get the work done was paramount, the icing on the cake was the fact that the cost was so reasonable I was able to get three implants fitted for less than my local dentist in Clapham was going to charge for two! I would recommend MIC to anyone without reservation.

Philip Evans
Patient

I am absolutely delighted with the customer service and treatment I received at the MIC. I have lived in a number of locations throuout the UK so have some experience of dentists – non of whom come close to the attention to detail of Dr Santos. Additionally nothing was to much trouble for the staff who were always friendly and professional. The implants look and feel completely natural! A days leave was required to commute to the practice on each occasion, but it was well worth it. I would recommend this practice without hesitation and would not hesitate to return if necessary.

Parmjhit Randhawa
Patient

I was very happy with the service from start to end, all treatment was completed whiten the quoted price, all treatment was done by the same specialist which was comforting. A 10 out of 10 service.

Roberto Daga
Patient

The level of efficiency , professionalism and integrity at the MIP are impressive indeed. I am absolutely delighted with my implant and looking forward to having another one. Thank you ever so much.

Keith Landin
Patient

The treatment was carried out exactly as promised and a few months on is very satisfactory. I would go back for more treatment if I ever needed it.

Carole Fox
Patient

I am very pleased with the implants and now it feels like they are my own teeth, there is no difference at all.

Denise Hickey
Patient

I had two teeth implants performed in February 2016 and can say the process was painless, efficiently carried out and with excellent results. All the staff were marvellous – the receptionists encouraging, supportive and friendly and the dentist utterly charming and very experienced. Lastly, the price was one of the most competitive on the market. I would highly recommend it without reservation.

Colin McCabe
Patient

I had my implant about 3 weeks ago. It was far less painful than I thought it would be; for me, probably the most uncomfortable bit was the initial injection, although not too bad. The aftercare from the team too was superior to what I expected. So far, I’ve been very impressed with my new implant and also the whole team at the implant centre.

Stanley Perry
Patient

From the reception staff through to my treatment everything was first class service. On each visit I was greeted with a smile and extractions bone growth and implants are all excellent. I must add the cost was considerably less than I had been quoted elsewhere. Would thoroughly recommend the MARYLEBONE implant centre

Peter Adam Wardle
Patient

I’m delighted with my dental implants. Dr Santos and his team were very professional and a pleasure to deal with throughout the whole process. Many thanks.

Deborah Morris
Patient

After very careful research, I chose MIC. I am so pleased that I did as ALL the staff are magnificent. I had 14 teeth removed, 6 implants, 3 bone grafts and now have the most beautiful and incredibly real-looking set of upper teeth. The professionalism is obvious at every visit.I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending them. MIC were also about 30% cheaper than the others I obtained quotes from! Thank you for everything, Francisco and crew.

Michael Conetta
Patient

At 85, I did wonder if this treatment would be to much for me to handle. I’m happy to say it was the best thing I could have done. After many years of a partial denture and problems with the few teeth I had left I took a leap of faith in Dr Santos and his team, and the results are fantastic. Dr Santos took me though the treatment step by step and I had every confidence in him and the final result, I was not let down. Dr Santos even put up with me talking about football every time we met.

Rebecca
Patient

I had a complicated case, whereby I had an infection in my gum in the area that I needed my implant, which also meant that I needed to have a bone graft. I had many consultations with various Implantologists. It was only until I met with Dr Santos, that I felt confident that he would be the one I trusted to do the job.He understood my history of bad experiences with dentists and that I was a very nervous patient. Everything was explained every step of the way, there were no hidden costs and the price was extremely reasonable for what I needed done. Dr Santos made sure that I was happy with the end result and I truly am. It was a long process, but worth as I now have my old smile back. Dr Santos and his team are professional, friendly and make you feel at ease. I cannot recommend MIC enough!

Helen
Patient

I am very happy with my ‘new tooth’ from the Marylebone Implant Centre. From the first time I walked through the door to my last visit and the aftercare plan, I have been completely satisfied. Dr dos Santos explained everything clearly and put me at ease when I had a natural tooth removed for the first time. Ciara and Paula who run the front desk are absolutely delightful and went out of their way to make sure I understood everything properly from finance to aftercare. One year on, my implant feels and looks like a normal natural molar.

Naveed
Patient

Great service for the entire team Very happy with everything and highly recommend them to anyone looking to have treatment or an Implant. Good information and step by step guide to what would happen and the whole thing was smooth and without fault. Thanks!

Malcolm Cox
Patient

I have had three implants carried out painlessly and with great skill. Brilliant dental surgeon.

Antac
Patient

From the 1st call I made and spoke with Paula I was reassured to be in good,professional trusted hands.. After speaking with a few practices I was glad to have left calling here last. Clean,confident,with no fuss from a warm welcome at reception to final fit. 100% happy.

David Fry
Patient

I just had a second set of overdentures made by the Marylebone Implant Centre (Francisco dos Santos). I was amazed at the quality and speed of the work, and the price was also very reasonable. But most importantly, at this practice you always feel that the customer comes first, and that your comfort and satisfaction are paramount. My first set of overdentures are also still going strong after more than 5 years, and the actual implants themselves have given me no trouble in all this time. While I cannot claim the actual implant procedure was pain-free, and I doubt it ever could be, the whole experience was extremely professionally managed, and also reasonably priced at one half to one third of the price quoted by other implant practices. I wholeheartedly recommend this practice for the reasons cited above.

Scott Spiro
Patient

It’s almost impossible for me to write this review without sounding like a relative but I will do my best. I was recommended to Marylebone Implant Centre by a friend at work. I am absolutely amazed at the professionalism, service and the final look of my teeth (I had them all done and they look incredible!!) Everything was so professional from start to finish and the team at the centre were all absolutely incredible. I highly and thoroughly recommend them to anybody.

Geoffrey Miles
Patient

Very professional approach to the dental surgery giving good confidence in a successful outcome. Absolutely no problems with the two implants which have given me the confidence to smile in public again.

Barbel Rosemarie France
Patient

I was always welcomed by staff in reception and dentist and his assistant. It was an uncomfortable experience to undergo but I was given painkillers to combat any discomfort . Great care was taken by the dentist to make me feel comfortable. It was the best decision I made and it was due to my dental Hygienist Catriana Bavington who strongly advised me to undergo this treatment and she introduced me to MIC. I am grateful to her and all the staff who looked after me.

BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY