Reviewed By Dr. Jeffery Kesecker, DDS
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Reading time: four minutes
Wisdom teeth can be unpredictable. Some people never have issues, while others deal with impaction, infections, or bone loss after extraction. If your oral surgeon has mentioned a bone graft, you might be wondering—is it really necessary?
In this blog, we will explain if and when a bone graft is necessary after a wisdom tooth removal.
Legacy Surgery offers expert oral surgery care in Harrisonburg and Staunton, VA, providing advanced procedures—including wisdom tooth removal and bone grafting—at both locations.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
A bone graft is rarely, if ever, needed after wisdom teeth removal. If you have experienced bone loss due to infection or a dentigerous cyst, it may be recommended, however this is very rare.
Understanding Wisdom Teeth and Their Challenges
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, typically develop by your mid-twenties. However, due to limited space in the jaw bone, these teeth can become impacted, leading to complications that often require extractions.
Impacted or misaligned wisdom teeth may affect adjacent teeth, compromise gum tissue, and cause bone resorption, which decreases jawbone density. In such cases, the removal may be followed by a bone graft to prevent bone loss.
To learn more about wisdom teeth removal, read: Do You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Removed? Find Out Here!
Why Consider a Bone Graft?
A bone graft after wisdom teeth removal would only be recommended when there is significant bone loss or damage to the jaw bone.
Dental bone grafting helps rebuild bone tissue and create a strong foundation for your mouth. Here are the primary scenarios where bone grafting procedures might be necessary.
1. Impacted Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth are impacted, they don’t have enough room to erupt properly, often growing horizontally. This misalignment can:
- Affect adjacent teeth by causing crowding and potential damage.
- Lead to bone resorption and deterioration of healthy bone.
- Increase the risk of complications like infection or periodontal disease.
In such cases, a socket bone grafting procedure can restore bone height and volume, ensuring the socket with bone is suitable for maintaining jawbone health.
2. Gum Disease and Periodontal Concerns
Wisdom teeth are notoriously difficult to clean, often leading to plaque buildup and gum disease.
Over time, untreated periodontal disease can cause bone loss around the tooth socket and affect gum tissue. This degradation may necessitate bone grafting to regenerate bone cells and maintain jawbone density.
3. Dentigerous Cysts and Other Complications
Fluid-filled sacs known as dentigerous cysts may develop around unerupted or partially erupted wisdom teeth. When these cysts become sizable, they can cause:
- Facial swelling and discomfort in the jaw bone
- Displacement of adjacent teeth, leading to a compromised bony ridge
- An increased need for socket preservation through bone grafting to restore bone tissue and prevent further deterioration
What to Expect During the Bone Grafting Process
If you are advised to undergo a bone graft after wisdom teeth removal, here’s what you can expect during the surgical procedure:
- Pre-surgical evaluation: Our team conducts a thorough examination, including imaging studies, to assess the quantity of bone and determine the appropriate type of bone graft. This evaluation helps us plan a treatment tailored to your needs.
- Surgical procedure: The bone grafting process is typically performed immediately following the removal of wisdom teeth if there is significant bone loss or an inadequate bone structure. Graft material – sourced from human bone, bovine tissue, or synthetic material—is carefully placed into the tooth socket.
- Post-surgical care and healing process: Recovering from wisdom tooth removal with a bone graft is similar to standard extraction recovery but requires extra care to ensure proper healing. In the first few days, you may experience swelling, mild discomfort, and minor bleeding. You will be given detailed post-operative instructions to follow.
Learn more about the recovery after wisdom tooth removal: 21 FAQs About Wisdom Teeth Removal Recovery.
Legacy Surgery: Oral Surgeon in Staunton & Harrisonburg, VA
If you are experiencing complications related to wisdom teeth—such as gum disease, impacted wisdom teeth, or the presence of dentigerous cysts—contact us for a wisdom tooth removal consultation.To book a consultation at our Harrisonburg location, call (540) 437-1230 or visit us at 2071 Pro Pointe Lane, Harrisonburg, VA. To book at our Staunton location, call (540) 213-8750 or visit us at 110 Mactanly Pl C, Staunton, VA.