You wouldn’t build a house on crumbling ground—and your mouth works the same way. Before you can place a dental implant or repair major oral damage, you need a solid foundation. That’s where bone grafting and oral surgery come into play. These procedures restore not just structure, but the future of your smile.

At Woo Dental in Jersey City, Dr. Woo uses advanced techniques to rebuild jawbone strength, treat underlying issues, and prepare your mouth for long-term oral health. Whether you’re replacing a missing tooth or recovering from gum disease, bone grafting and oral surgery are often the quiet heroes behind your successful treatment.

Let’s take a deeper (but friendly) look at what these procedures involve, when they’re needed, and why they’re crucial to lasting results.

What Is Bone Grafting?

When you lose a tooth, the jawbone beneath it begins to shrink. Why? Because without the stimulation of chewing pressure from a tooth root, the body starts reabsorbing the bone. Over time, that can leave you with a thinner jaw, sunken cheeks, or not enough support for a dental implant.

Bone grafting is the process of adding bone (either your own or a safe donor source) to rebuild and strengthen the jaw.

There are a few types:

• Socket preservation (right after a tooth is pulled to prevent shrinkage)
• Ridge augmentation (to widen or deepen the jaw ridge)
• Sinus lift (adds bone to the upper jaw beneath the sinuses to support implants)

The goal is always the same: to create a sturdy, stable foundation for future dental work and keep your facial structure healthy.

What Oral Surgeries Fall Under This Umbrella?

While “oral surgery” sounds intense, many of the procedures done at Woo Dental are routine, efficient, and very manageable.

These may include:

• Tooth extractions (including impacted teeth or those beyond repair)
• Surgical exposure for orthodontic cases
• Bone graft placement (during or after tooth removal)
• Implant placement surgery
• Tissue grafts for receding gums

Dr. Woo ensures each oral surgery is planned with comfort in mind. Sedation options are available, and recovery times are typically shorter than most people expect.

What to Expect During Bone Grafting or Oral Surgery at Woo Dental

Here’s a quick breakdown of how these procedures typically unfold:

Step 1: Imaging and Planning

Using advanced 3D scans, Dr. Woo evaluates your bone density, structure, and treatment goals. This helps determine the graft type, placement site, and surgical approach.

Step 2: Local Anesthesia or Sedation

Depending on the complexity of the procedure and your comfort level, local numbing or light sedation is used so you feel calm and pain-free.

Step 3: Grafting or Surgical Procedure

For bone grafting, a small incision is made to access the area, place the bone material, and close it with dissolvable stitches. For tooth extractions or soft tissue work, similar steps are followed with precise techniques.

Step 4: Healing and Integration

Bone grafts typically heal and integrate over 3–6 months. After that, implants or restorations can be safely placed.

You’ll receive detailed aftercare instructions, and Dr. Woo’s team will follow up to make sure healing is smooth and on track.

Why Bone Grafting Matters (and What the Science Says)

Bone grafting isn’t just helpful—it’s often essential for successful long-term outcomes. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons:

• More than 50% of implant candidates require some form of bone grafting due to bone loss.
• Bone grafts using biocompatible materials or your own bone have high success rates, especially when paired with proper oral hygiene and professional care.
• Grafting also helps prevent future issues like jawbone collapse and facial volume loss—especially after multiple extractions or long-term denture use.

Studies published in the Journal of Periodontology also confirm that bone regeneration procedures lead to greater implant stability and long-term success, especially in patients with previous bone deterioration.

Who Needs Bone Grafting or Oral Surgery?

You might benefit from one or both if:

• You’ve had a tooth missing for a while and are now considering implants
• You’ve been told you don’t have enough bone for implants
• You have gum disease that’s affected the jawbone
• You’ve experienced dental trauma or injury
• You need a surgical extraction of an impacted or broken tooth

Woo Dental offers complete evaluations and personalized treatment planning so you’ll never have to guess about your next steps.

What About Recovery?

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how smooth the healing process is. Mild swelling or soreness is normal for a day or two, and it can be managed with rest, a soft food diet, and medications (if prescribed).

Dr. Woo’s team provides detailed home care instructions, regular check-ins, and everything you need to feel supported from start to finish.

The Groundwork for a Stronger Smile

Bone grafting and oral surgery might not be the most glamorous topics—but they’re absolutely essential when it comes to restoring and protecting your smile’s long-term health.

With the right foundation, you open the door to life-changing restorations like dental implants, fixed dentures, and more—without cutting corners.

Need to rebuild before restoring? Call Woo Dental at (551) 298-3878 to schedule a consultation in our Jersey City office and find out how bone grafting and oral surgery can strengthen your smile from the roots up.