The jawbone associated with missing teeth can be reabsorbed over a period of time, leaving the jaw unable to support the dental implant. Without the proper bone support, many people cannot become candidates for dental implants. However, with the ability of performing bone grafts, the jawbone can be restored to accommodate implants and retain esthetic appearances. There are several different grafting options available.

BEFORE	AFTER

- Autografts involve grafting bone material derived from the patient. This type is very easily accepted by your body and because it is rich in bone growth proteins, it produces the fastest rate of bone growth.

- Allografts are bone grafts from another person and this is typically processed bone powder. They contain bone growth proteins that have the ability to generate new bone in grafting procedures. The recipient*s body converts the donor bone into its own natural bone, thus rebuilding the jawbone.

- Xenograft products are processed animal bone and its growth protein which in time, the recipient's body replaces it with natural bone.

- Alloplastic grafts are composed of inert, man-made synthetic materials, usually a form of calcium phosphate. This substance mimics the properties of natural bone material and your body may or may not replace it with natural bone, depending on whether it is resorbable or non-resorbable.