A dental implant, because it is placed in the jaw bone, requires a certain amount of healthy bone structure to properly support it. If there is not enough bone density or if the bone is weak, a bone graft procedure can be performed to strengthen and fortify the bone. In a bone graft procedure, an artificial bone or sometimes a bone fragment from the patient’s own body is surgically inserted over the jaw bone in the location where the implant will later be placed. The bone graft bonds with the existing bone and encourages regeneration, or regrowth. This increases the thickness and strength of the bone so that a dental implant can be placed successfully.