Expert Columns

[Health Column] Implants: Everything You Need to Know About Bone Grafting Before Giving Up on "Insufficient Gum Bone"

2026.10.14 08:19

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손동국 원장

Hello! I am Dong-guk Son, the Chief Director of Toktok Plant Dental Clinic. 😊

I often meet patients who become discouraged after hearing during implant consultations that "it is difficult because there is insufficient gum bone."

The longer you have lost teeth or suffered from gum disease, the more likely it is that the alveolar bone is gradually absorbed, weakening the foundation to support implants. However, Having insufficient bone does not mean that implants are impossible.

Today, I would like to explain why bone grafting is necessary, the process involved, and what you need to check for implants accompanied by bone grafting.

✏️Why does gum bone become insufficient?

👉🏻In the area where a tooth was lost, the bone is gradually absorbed as chewing stimulation disappears.

Alveolar bone is a tissue that is maintained by receiving chewing stimulation while holding the teeth. In the space where a tooth is missing, bone begins to gradually resorb as this stimulation disappears, and the longer the period left untreated after extraction, the more severe this process becomes.

If you have suffered from periodontitis for a long time, inflammation erodes the bone, weakening the foundation for implant placement. In addition, pressure from old dentures and changes in bone density due to aging can also be causes.

👉🏻Difficult to tell from the outside: Because the condition of the gum bone is difficult to check with the naked eye, Confirming the height, width, and density of the bone through a precise examination is the starting point of the treatment plan. This becomes

✏️ What is a bone graft treatment?

👉🏻This is the process of rebuilding the foundation for the implant by filling the deficient alveolar bone with bone graft material.

Bone grafting is a treatment that fills deficient alveolar bone areas with bone graft material to create a foundation that supports implants. Over time, the grafted material gradually fuses with the patient's own bone to form a solid supporting structure.

The order and timing of bone grafting and implantation may vary depending on the condition of the bone, and in some cases, bone grafting is performed first followed by implantation after a healing period of several months.

👉🏻There is not just one correct answer: Since the appropriate method is determined by comprehensively assessing the degree and location of bone defect and the patient's overall health, rather than a uniform standard Individual plan based on precise diagnosis This is important.

✏️ Bone Graft Implants: Why Are 'Who and How' Important?

This is because it is a highly complex treatment where the entire process, from diagnosis to inflammation management, determines the outcome.

Implants accompanied by bone grafting are classified as a more difficult treatment than standard placement. This is because the entire process—from accurately assessing the condition of the gums and bone, grafting only the necessary amount, to managing inflammation—determines the outcome.

Based on diagnoses by periodontists specializing in gums and alveolar bone, and drawing on our accumulated experience in implantation, we adhere to the principle of standard treatment that minimizes unnecessary grafts and focuses on areas where they are absolutely necessary.

👉🏻Must check this: If you have been diagnosed with the need for a bone graft, A medical institution where you can receive a full explanation of why it is necessary and how the process works. Please select .

✏️ What should you keep in mind for recovery after a bone graft?

It is most important not to irritate the surgical site until the graft material has settled.

After a bone graft, it is of utmost importance for the graft material to settle stably. Basic rules include not touching the surgical site with your tongue or hands, not blowing your nose forcefully (in the case of upper jaw bone grafts), and avoiding the use of straws, smoking, and drinking alcohol.

👉🏻Quitting smoking is especially important: Smoking is Representative factors hindering the fusion of transplanted bone Therefore, we recommend quitting smoking during the recovery period.

👉🏻Diet and Medication: Please eat mainly soft foods in the beginning, and do not stop taking prescribed medication on your own.

👉🏻Please visit the clinic in these cases: If swelling and pain worsen over time, or if you feel like granules are continuously coming out of the graft site, it is safer to visit the clinic to have your condition checked.

🔹 FAQ: We'll answer your questions!

Q1. How much longer does the implant period become if a bone graft is performed?

A1. It depends on the condition of the bone. If the bone defect is not large, there may not be a significant difference in the total duration, but if a bone graft is performed first, several months may be added for the graft material to settle.

It is most accurate to check the estimated duration applicable to you after a thorough examination.

Q2. Is bone grafting very painful?

A2. Since the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, there is generally little to no pain during the surgery, and postoperative pain and swelling are known to be mostly controlled with prescription painkillers and cold compresses.

However, there may be differences depending on the transplant area and individual condition.

Q3. Is it possible to get bone graft implants even at an advanced age?

A3. The condition of the gum bone and overall health are more important criteria for judgment than age itself.

Even if you have chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension, treatment is often possible if the condition is being stably managed. Therefore, please inform us of any medications you are currently taking and your medical history during the consultation.

Q4. Is there no way to get implants without bone grafting?

A4. In some cases, bone grafting can be minimized by adjusting the placement location, direction, or type of implant depending on the degree of bone defect.

However, unnecessarily omitting the transplant can affect organ stability, so a decision based on precise diagnosis is required.

🔹 Conclusion: Saying "I lack bone" is not the end of treatment.

Bone grafting is not an additional procedure for implants, but a fundamental treatment that rebuilds the foundation to ensure the implant functions properly for a long period. A diagnosis of "bone deficiency" is not the end of treatment, The starting point is the need for a more precise plan. Please understand it as such.

The essence of the medical practice we pursue is not to immediately implant the implant, but to establish a foundation that allows the implanted implant to remain stable without wavering.

✅ Remember!

In the area where a tooth has been lost, the chewing stimulus disappears, and the alveolar bone is gradually absorbed.
Bone grafting is a treatment that rebuilds an insufficient foundation, and the graft material fuses with the patient's own bone over time.
The order and timing of bone grafting and implantation vary depending on bone condition and overall health.
During the recovery period, avoiding irritation to the surgical site and quitting smoking are the most important things.
The condition of the gum bone cannot be determined from the outside, so please check it first with a precise examination.

Since the necessity and method of bone grafting vary depending on an individual's bone condition and overall health, we recommend that you first assess your condition through an accurate diagnosis rather than delaying treatment due to vague concerns. Please resolve any questions you may have through a consultation with our medical team. 😊