← All explanationsAutologous bone graft

What does grafting with your own bone mean?

Autologous means from the same person. Bone harvested from the patient is used to build up a deficient area. This can suit some defects, but harvesting adds another consideration and is not the best option in every case.

For training & practice ↓

Simplified model of a lateral bone block secured to the lower jaw with two screws. — Recipient-site model; material origin is not visible.

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Own tissue

The material comes from the patient. The donor site and amount depend on the planned repair.

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Consider both sites

The donor site as well as the grafted area must heal. Pain, infection and other local complications are possible.

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Review healing

Healing and follow-up are required. Using your own bone cannot guarantee a particular volume or later implant treatment.

Read the full explanation

Own tissue
The material comes from the patient. The donor site and amount depend on the planned repair.
Consider both sites
The donor site as well as the grafted area must heal. Pain, infection and other local complications are possible.
Review healing
Healing and follow-up are required. Using your own bone cannot guarantee a particular volume or later implant treatment.

Notes on the teaching images

Recipient-site model; material origin is not visible.
Fictional teaching scene; not a patient story.
Fixation shown; healing and outcome remain uncertain.

For your visit: open the communication cards

Watch the short explanation ↓

At a glance

Source?

The patient’s own body.

Additional consideration?

Harvesting and healing.

Decision?

Individual assessment.

Knowledge in motion

Explained in 36 seconds.

Three steps. No audio.
Each scene can also be selected manually.

Landscape film (MP4) · Portrait film (MP4)

Silent educational film with German on-screen text and simplified teaching images. Not a patient case or a promised treatment outcome. The full English explanation is available as text.

Go to film text

Often confused

Own bone versus substitute

They have different origins and may also be combined in a treatment plan.

Quick answers

Does autologous mean allogeneic?

No. Autologous tissue comes from the same person; allogeneic material comes from another human donor and is processed accordingly.

Where is it harvested?

This depends on the amount and plan. Possible donor sites and their risks are explained beforehand.

Is own bone always better?

There is no universal ranking. The defect, procedure, material and individual circumstances must be considered together.

At the practice

For a personal discussion

Editorially suggested question to discuss with Dr Niusha Barahmand Pour:

Which donor site and other options fit this defect?

A proposed graft can be discussed in terms of benefit, burden and risk.

Discuss bone graftingAppointment selection at Doctolib

Meet Dr. Niusha Barahmand Pour ↗

Learning layer for training & practiceUnderstand terminology and deepen knowledge

Autologous: From the same individual.
Donor site: Where tissue is harvested.
Augmentation: Building up tissue.

Make the distinction

They have different origins and may also be combined in a treatment plan.

Knowledge questionWhat defines an autologous graft?

For learning, not for assessing personal symptoms. Your answer is not stored or sent.

It comes from the same person.
It is always synthetic.
It needs no healing.

View answer

It comes from the same person.

The word describes origin, not guaranteed success.

Sources and context

Editorial research: 2026-11-06. General information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Teaching illustrations are simplified and do not depict a patient case.