Bone Grafts

Bone grafting is a procedure where we add bone material to areas of your jaw that don’t have enough bone to support dental implants. Think of it like building a stronger foundation for your future tooth replacement. We use either your own bone, donor bone, or synthetic bone material to encourage new bone growth in the area. This creates the solid foundation needed for successful implant placement.

About 60% of patients need some type of bone grafting before implant placement. When you lose a tooth, the bone that supported it begins to shrink away – it’s completely natural but can leave insufficient bone for an implant. Dr. Fenton will use 3D imaging to measure your bone density and determine if grafting is necessary. Sometimes we can do minor grafting at the same time as implant placement.

Most patients experience only mild discomfort during the healing process. The procedure itself is comfortable with local anesthesia, and Dr. Fenton offers sedation options if you’re anxious. You might have some swelling and tenderness for 3-5 days afterward, similar to having a tooth extracted. We’ll provide detailed pain management instructions and prescription medication if needed.

Bone grafting typically takes 3-6 months to heal completely before we can place your implant. The actual grafting procedure usually takes 30-60 minutes depending on the size of the area. During healing, new bone grows and integrates with the graft material. We’ll monitor your progress with follow-up appointments to ensure everything is healing properly.

Bone grafting typically costs between $300-$3,000 depending on the size and complexity of the graft needed. Simple socket preservation after tooth extraction is on the lower end, while more extensive grafting for multiple implants costs more. Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of bone grafting when it’s necessary for implant treatment. We’ll provide a detailed treatment plan with costs upfront.

Stick to soft foods for the first week while the graft site heals. Good options include smoothies, yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and soup. Avoid anything crunchy, spicy, or hot that might irritate the area. Don’t use straws for the first few days as the suction can disturb the graft. We’ll give you a complete list of recommended foods and what to avoid during your recovery.

Insurance coverage for bone grafting varies significantly between plans. Some dental insurance plans cover bone grafting when it’s deemed necessary for implant placement, typically at 50-80%. Others may consider it a separate procedure with different coverage levels. Medical insurance sometimes covers grafting when bone loss is due to trauma or disease. Our team will verify your specific benefits and help determine the best way to maximize your coverage before starting treatment.