What is the difference between dental bone grafting and gum surgery?

Dental bone grafting and gum surgery are two important procedures used to restore oral health, especially when gum disease, tooth loss, or structural changes in the mouth affect the stability of your teeth. Many patients assume both procedures are similar, but they serve very different purposes. Understanding the differences helps you make informed decisions about your treatment at Buford Dental in Buford, GA.

Both treatments aim to protect your long-term oral health, but they target different tissues. Bone grafting restores the jawbone, while gum surgery repairs or reshapes the soft tissues that support your teeth. Here is a closer look at how each procedure works, when it is needed, and what benefits it offers.

What is dental bone grafting?

Dental bone grafting is a procedure that rebuilds or regenerates lost jawbone. When bone breaks down due to gum disease, missing teeth, trauma, or long-term infection, the jaw becomes weaker. This affects the ability to place implants, support teeth, and maintain proper facial structure. A bone graft adds healthy bone material to strengthen these areas.

During the procedure, a small incision is made to access the affected bone. Your dentist places bone material in the area where bone loss occurred and allows it to heal. Over time, your body integrates the graft as new bone grows.

When bone grafting is recommended

• After tooth extraction, to preserve the bone

• When significant bone loss is caused by gum disease

• When preparing the jaw for dental implants

• To prevent the shifting of teeth after a missing tooth

At Buford Dental, we use bone grafting to support treatments like dental implants and to improve overall oral stability. You can learn more about restorative treatments on our restorative dentistry page and explore our blog on how to fix chipped or broken teeth to understand how timely care protects your oral structure.

What is gum surgery?

Gum surgery focuses on restoring or reshaping the soft tissue around your teeth. When gums recede, become infected, or lose their healthy attachment, gum surgery helps repair these areas and stop the progression of periodontal disease.

There are different types of gum surgeries. Some are performed to treat infection and clean deep pockets, while others, such as gum grafting, rebuild missing gum tissue.

When gum surgery is recommended

• Gum recession that exposes tooth roots

• Deep gum pockets caused by periodontal disease

• Excess gum tissue that affects your smile

• Infections that have not improved with regular cleanings

At Buford Dental, we offer advanced gum treatments that help control gum disease, restore gum health, and reduce sensitivity caused by exposed roots. You can also read our blog on what happens if you ignore a dental abscess to understand how gum infections can affect your overall oral health.

Key differences between bone grafting and gum surgery

Although both treatments improve dental health, they focus on different tissues and address different problems.

1. Purpose

• Bone grafting rebuilds the jawbone

• Gum surgery repairs or reshapes gum tissue

2. What they treat

• Bone grafting is used for bone loss, tooth replacement planning, and dental implant preparation

• Gum surgery treats gum recession, infection, and periodontal pockets

3. Materials used

• Bone grafting uses natural or synthetic bone material

• Gum surgery uses your own gum tissue or donor soft tissue

4. Outcome

• Bone grafting restores bone strength and promotes implant success

• Gum surgery improves gum health, protects roots, and prevents tooth loss

Which treatment do you need?

Most patients require only one of these procedures, depending on their oral condition. Some may need both, especially if gum disease has affected both the gums and the bone.

The right treatment depends on:

• The level of bone support around your teeth

• The extent of gum recession or infection

• Your long-term treatment goals, especially if implants are planned

At Buford Dental in Buford, GA, we perform a detailed evaluation to determine whether bone grafting, gum surgery, or a combination of both will benefit you. You can learn more about related services through our gum and bone surgery page and our restorative dentistry page, where we guide you through every step of maintaining a stable, healthy smile.