A bone graft substitute for use in orthopedic bone grafting procedures comprising a radiolucent bone graft substitute combined with a temporary radiopaque agent. Methods of making and using the composition are also disclosed. Bone graft substitutes have become an effective means of regenerating bone in orthopedic procedures where bone loss results from surgically created defects or traumatic injury to the bone. Bone graft substitutes include mineral-based materials such as hydroxyapatite, calcium phosphates, and calcium phosphosilicates as well as allograft-derived materials and xenograft-derived materials such as collagen-based matrices and demineralized bone matrices.