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Home/Treatments/Dental Implants/Bone Grafting

Bone Grafting

Foundational Dental Implant Support for Patients With Bone Loss

A missing tooth not only detracts from your appearance, but also from your overall oral health. Once you lose a tooth, your jawbone will begin to atrophy and gradually be reabsorbed by the body. Fortunately, the oral surgeons at Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona can restore the strength and function of the jawbone, while readying the site for placement of a dental implant, using a technique called bone grafting.

If you suffer from compromised strength in your jawbone or are exploring whether you are a suitable candidate for dental implants, contact our Phoenix or Tempe office to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified surgeons.

What Is Bone Grafting?

During your initial consultation with one of our oral surgeons, you will learn whether your unique condition would benefit from a bone graft, or “pre-prosthetic surgery.” If you are missing teeth, dental implants may be a suitable reconstructive procedure, but you’ll need an adequate amount of healthy jawbone at the proposed implant site. Bone grafting effectively builds up bone mass in areas of your jaw that may have been compromised due to injury, previous extractions or gum disease.

Using the latest advancements in bone grafting, a number of techniques are available at our Phoenix and Tempe offices, including:

Benefits of Dental Implants After Bone Grafting

After bone grafting is complete and your jawbone has returned to its healthy state, it’s time to place an implant. At Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona, our experienced surgeons specialize in dental implant treatment. We adhere to the highest standards of care and use cutting-edge implant technology to ensure you can enjoy a lifetime of use from your implant and prosthetic tooth.

The benefit of successful bone grafts and dental implants is twofold: You can enjoy restored function, including improved ability to speak and eat, while enhancing the appearance and symmetry of your smile.

Anyone who has lived with one or more missing teeth understands the devastating effect it can have on overall quality of life. At Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona, we are committed to helping you achieve maximal oral health and renewed self-confidence. Call today to learn more about our bone grafting techniques or to schedule a consultation.

What Does a Bone Grafting Procedure Involve?

Bone grafting involves a few steps to create a solid foundation for your dental implants. The procedure usually takes less than two hours to perform and generally follows these processes:

Step 1: Your oral surgeon will use local anesthesia to numb the bone grafting site. If sedation is desired, our practice offers nitrous oxide, general anesthesia, and IV (intravenous) techniques. Our doctors will talk with you about your anesthetic options and the best method for your treatment. Patients will need a friend or loved one to take them to and from the office if IV sedation or general anesthesia techniques are used.

Step 2: Bone will either be sourced from a chosen location from the jawbone or another area of your body. Patients who do not want a second surgical site can choose to obtain a sterile allogeneic bone, which will naturally be replaced by the patient’s own native bone over the course of four months. This method is just as safe and successful. If necessary, your oral surgeon will perform tooth extractions at this stage as well. Undergoing bone grafting and tooth extraction at the same time encourages faster healing.

Step 3: The bone graft material is attached to the jawbone and molded into the proper shape.

Step 4: The bone grafting incision is closed with sutures.

Step 5: Your oral surgeon will provide instructions on how to care for the bone graft site during the recovery period. It may take four to six months for the jawbone to fully heal and be ready for the dental implant process. Patience is important since you want to give the new bone enough time to thoroughly integrate with the jawbone.

What is Recovery from Dental Bone Grafting Like?

For the first two to three days after bone grafting, patients may experience some swelling and discomfort. Your oral surgeon will provide detailed post-operative instructions to help ensure that the healing process goes as smoothly as possible. In general, we usually give our patients the following directions after their procedure:

How Much Does Dental Bone Grafting Cost?

The cost of dental bone grafting can vary from patient to patient. It depends highly on the complexity of your unique treatment plan and the type of bone graft material used. If the material is from another source, the average price is around $600 to $900 for a single implant area. If the patient’s own bone is used, then the average cost is between $1,000 to $1,200 per implant area. Sourcing bone graft material from the patient’s own body is typically more expensive because of hospitalization costs and anesthesia fees.

After your consultation, a knowledgeable member of our team will provide a cost estimate of the procedure that includes all price factors and answer any questions you may have. We encourage our bone grafting patients to contact their insurance provider to find out if they can cover a portion or all of the cost. Our practice accepts a variety of convenient payment methods, including dental financing arrangements through CareCredit®. We are happy to assist you in finding the best way to make dental bone grafting fit your budget.

Restoring Your Quality of Life

With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. We believe you should not have to live with frustration, pain, and a reduced quality of life due to missing teeth. To learn more about our dental implants and how they can improve your smile, schedule a consultation with one of our trained surgeons, Drs. Michael W. Golding or J. Gregory Sabol, and they can explore the bone grafting options available to you.