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Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting

Bone and soft tissue grafting can make it possible to rebuild support, protect long-term oral health, and create a stronger foundation for future treatment.

Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting in Chicago, IL

Whether patients are preparing for dental implants or addressing damage caused by tooth loss, gum recession, or infection, these procedures are often an important step toward a healthier, more stable smile.

At Oral and Facial Surgery of the NorthShore, Dr. Stephen Martin provides advanced bone and soft tissue grafting solutions with a careful, thoughtful approach that helps patients feel informed and genuinely cared for throughout the process.

Patients throughout Chicago, IL and Skokie, IL, trust our team for modern techniques, detailed planning, and care that never feels rushed. Every treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s needs, goals, and long-term oral health.

To learn more about bone and soft tissue grafting services or to schedule a consultation, call (224) 623-0709 today.

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What Is Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting?

Bone and soft tissue grafting includes a group of procedures used to rebuild or preserve the structures that support the teeth and jaws. In some cases, these treatments help prepare the mouth for dental implants. In others, they are used to protect areas that have been affected by tooth loss, periodontal concerns, or trauma.

Bone grafting focuses on rebuilding lost bone volume or preserving existing bone where support has weakened. Soft tissue grafting helps restore gum tissue where recession or thinning has occurred. Together, these procedures can improve stability, support better function, and create healthier conditions for future restorative care.

At Oral and Facial Surgery of the NorthShore, Dr. Martin uses advanced techniques and careful evaluation to determine which regenerative approach is most appropriate for each patient. His goal is always to restore what has been lost while helping patients feel comfortable and confident in the process.

Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting Overview: Available Treatment Options

Sinus Lift

Sinus Lift

A sinus lift is a specialized bone grafting procedure used when there is not enough bone height in the upper back jaw for dental implants. By gently lifting the sinus membrane and placing grafting material beneath it, Dr. Martin can create the support needed for future implant placement. This procedure is often recommended for patients who have experienced bone loss in the upper jaw over time or who naturally have limited bone in that area.
Learn more about Sinus Lift

Socket Preservation

Socket Preservation

Socket preservation helps protect the bone after a tooth extraction. Once a tooth is removed, the jawbone in that area can begin to shrink, often losing up to half of its volume within six months. By placing grafting material into the socket at the time of extraction, Dr. Martin can help preserve the natural shape and volume of the bone. This can be especially important for patients who may want a dental implant later and want to keep future treatment options open.
Learn more about Socket Preservation

Bone Regeneration

Bone Regeneration

Bone regeneration procedures are used to rebuild areas of the jaw where bone has been lost due to missing teeth, infection, or other structural changes. These procedures help restore support and improve the health of the underlying foundation. For many patients, bone regeneration is an important part of preparing for dental implants or restoring long-term stability in the mouth.
Learn more about Bone Regeneration

Gum & Bone Regeneration Around Teeth

Gum & Bone Regeneration Around Teeth

When the support around natural teeth has been weakened, regenerative treatment may help restore both bone and soft tissue in the area. This approach is designed to strengthen the structures around the teeth and help preserve them whenever possible. Dr. Martin carefully evaluates the condition of the teeth, gums, and surrounding bone to determine whether regenerative treatment may improve support and protect long-term oral health.

Gum & Bone Regeneration Around Implants

Gum & Bone Regeneration Around Implants

Healthy bone and gum tissue are essential to the long-term success of dental implants. When there is a loss of support around an implant, regenerative treatment may help rebuild the surrounding area and improve stability. This type of care is highly individualized and depends on the cause and extent of the tissue loss. Dr. Martin uses detailed imaging and a careful surgical approach to determine the best path forward.

Nerve Repositioning

Nerve Repositioning

Nerve repositioning is an advanced procedure that may be considered when the position of a nerve in the lower jaw limits the ability to place dental implants safely. By carefully repositioning the nerve, Dr. Martin may be able to create the space needed for implant placement in selected cases. Because this is a more specialized treatment, it is only recommended when appropriate and after careful planning. Dr. Martin discusses the process in detail, so patients understand both the reasoning behind the procedure and what to expect.

Schedule a Consultation

From wisdom teeth to complex facial procedures, Dr. Stephen Martin delivers precise, compassionate surgical care designed to restore comfort, function, and confidence. We invite you to schedule your consultation by calling (224) 623-0709 or completing our convenient consultation form.

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Why Patients May Benefit from Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting?

For many patients, these procedures are not just about rebuilding tissue. They are about preserving options, improving oral health, and creating conditions for more lasting results.

Bone and soft tissue grafting can offer several meaningful advantages for patients who need to rebuild support and protect future oral health:

  • Helps create a stronger foundation for dental implants
  • Preserves bone after tooth extraction
  • Rebuilds areas affected by bone loss
  • Supports healthier gums and surrounding tissue
  • Improves long-term stability in the mouth
  • Helps maintain natural contours of the jaw and gumline
  • Expands treatment options for patients who may not otherwise qualify for implants

Who Is a Candidate for Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting?

Many patients are candidates for bone and soft tissue grafting, especially when tooth loss, gum recession, infection, or natural anatomy has reduced the support available in the mouth. These procedures are often recommended before implant placement, but they may also be used to protect natural teeth or improve the health of existing implant sites.

Patients may be good candidates if they:

  • Have been told there is not enough bone for dental implants
  • Are you planning for tooth replacement after an extraction
  • Have experienced bone loss in the upper or lower jaw
  • Have gum recession or thinning tissue
  • Need to improve support around natural teeth or implants
  • Want to improve long-term oral stability before restorative treatment

 

During the consultation, Dr. Martin carefully evaluates the patient’s anatomy using advanced imaging and a detailed exam. He explains what he sees, why grafting may be helpful, and how treatment can support the next phase of care. Patients are given time to ask questions and move forward with a clear understanding of their options.

Why Patients Choose Oral and Facial Surgery of the NorthShore for Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting?

Patients considering bone and soft tissue grafting in Chicago, IL, and Skokie, IL, want to understand why grafting is being recommended, how it supports their long-term health, and what the process will actually feel like. That perspective shapes how care is delivered at Oral and Facial Surgery of the NorthShore.

Dr. Martin combines advanced surgical training with modern regenerative techniques to provide care that is precise, thoughtful, and highly individualized. Just as important, patients are given clear explanations, visual guidance, and attentive follow-up so they feel supported from consultation through recovery. His approach is rooted in helping patients feel cared for, not rushed, while still offering the most current advances in treatment.

This balance of advanced care and personal attention helps patients move forward feeling informed, comfortable, and confident in their treatment plan.

Schedule a Consultation for Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting in Chicago, IL

For patients exploring dental implants, preparing for extraction, or looking for ways to rebuild support in the mouth, a consultation is the best place to start.

Contact Oral and Facial Surgery of the NorthShore today at (224) 623-0709 or reach out online to info@ofsns.com to schedule an appointment today. Dr. Stephen Martin and his team proudly serve patients in Chicago, IL and Skokie, IL with advanced, compassionate care designed to support long-term oral health and stability. Proudly serving patients in Evanston, IL, Skokie, IL, Lincolnwood, IL, Chicago, IL, Morton Grove, IL, Niles, IL, Wilmette, IL, Winnetka, IL, Northfield, IL, Park Ridge, IL, and Glenview, IL.

Bone and Soft Tissue Grafting in Chicago – FAQs

Bone grafting may be recommended when there is not enough natural bone in the jaw to support an implant securely. This can happen after tooth loss, infection, or long-term changes in the jaw over time. Grafting helps rebuild the area so that implant placement has a stronger, more stable foundation.

These procedures are performed with local anesthesia, and sedation options may be available depending on the treatment being performed. Most patients describe the experience as pressure rather than discomfort during the procedure, with mild soreness afterward that improves over the following days. Dr. Martin takes time to explain comfort options in advance so that patients feel prepared.

Healing time depends on the type and extent of the procedure. Some sites heal relatively quickly, while more involved grafting may take several months before the area is fully ready for the next step, such as implant placement. Dr. Martin provides detailed guidance based on the patient’s individual treatment plan.

Yes, in many cases it can. Socket preservation is a common example, where grafting material is placed immediately after an extraction to help preserve bone volume. Combining treatment this way can reduce bone loss and help protect future restorative options.

No. A sinus lift is only recommended when there is not enough bone in the upper back jaw and that specific area needs support for implant placement. Some patients may need a different grafting procedure, while others may not need grafting at all. The right approach depends on the patient’s anatomy and goals.

Bone grafting focuses on rebuilding the jawbone or preserving bone where support has been lost. Gum or soft tissue grafting focuses on restoring or improving the soft tissue around teeth or implants. In some cases, both may be recommended together to improve overall support and health in the area.

Yes. One of the biggest benefits of grafting is that it can help preserve or rebuild the structures needed for future care. For many patients, grafting keeps implant treatment possible, protects the contours of the jaw and gumline, and supports more stable long-term results.

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