Bone grafting is often necessary in order to prepare a site for placement of a dental implant or dental bridge. Bone grafting can be done at the time of tooth extraction, prior to implant placement, or during implant placement. In order for a dental implant to be placed in the most ideal location, there needs to be adequate bone present. When a bony defect is present, your surgeon will fill the defect with bone grafting material and cover it with a membrane which serves as a barrier to protect the bone graft particles. The bone graft material is called freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA). FDBA is obtained from a donor and undergoes rigorous sterilization and cell-removal techniques in compliance with the American Association of Tissue Banks protocol. This ensures that there is no risk of transmission of any infectious pathogens and this also ensures that there is no risk of your body rejecting the bone graft. This bone graft serves as a scaffold for your own bone. As your body heals, the bone graft will slowly resorb away and will be replaced by your body's own bone.