Types Of Bone Grafting Material

As an oral surgeon, I want to share with you a question I often get asked, “Does it matter what type of material is placed when you remove a tooth to graft that location?” Well, it actually does it really depends on what you’re trying to achieve, not all materials are built the same and not all materials do the same thing. The point of a bone graft material is to fill a space. It’s to fill in a void where the tooth used to be to prevent the tooth from shrinking or contracting. The goal for us when we place a bone graft in that area is to make it look as much like your own natural bone at about three to six months after the procedure is done. Some materials do that quicker, some materials do that slower, some materials do that more successfully than others so it is important to have a conversation with your surgeon about what bone graft material is being used so that you can understand and they understand what the criteria is so when they decide what’s the best choice for you it’s based on your specific needs.