Implants
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Bone loss, diabetes, smoking or gum disease? Who can get implants, and how a 3D scan tells you.
4 min readBy Hiral Desai, DDS, MDS, D. ABDSM
Bone Grafting for Dental Implants: When You Need It
If you've been told you need a bone graft before an implant, you're not alone. It is a common, well-established step. Here is why it's needed, the main types, and what recovery is like.
The short answer
A bone graft rebuilds jawbone that has shrunk after tooth loss, so an implant has a solid base. Many grafts are done the same day as the extraction or implant. Your 3D scan shows whether you need one.
Key takeaways
- Jawbone shrinks after a tooth is lost
- A graft gives the implant a solid base
- Many grafts happen during the same visit
- A 3D scan shows whether you need one
Why does jawbone shrink after tooth loss?
The bone around a tooth is kept strong by the pressure of chewing. Once the tooth is gone, that part of the jaw is no longer used and slowly shrinks in width and height. The longer a tooth has been missing, the more bone may be lost.
What types of grafts are there?
- Socket preservation. Bone graft material is placed right after an extraction to help keep the socket's shape. About $13 to $21 a month per tooth with financing.
- Guided bone regeneration. Graft material is covered with a membrane, held with small tacks or screws when needed, to rebuild bone that is too narrow or short. Unlike socket preservation, which is done at the time of extraction, guided bone regeneration is generally done later, before or at the time of implant placement, if there isn't enough bone width for an adequately sized implant. About $68 to $115 a month per area.
- Sinus lift. Bone is added under the sinus floor so an upper back implant has enough support. It can be done indirectly through the jawbone or directly through a bony window drilled in the sinus. About $68 to $115 a month per area. Read Do You Need a Sinus Lift for Dental Implants?.
Monthly estimates range from 48 months at 7.9% APR to 24 months at 0% APR, upon approved credit.
Does a bone graft hurt?
The area is numbed, and many grafts are done in the same visit as an extraction or implant. Expect some soreness and swelling for a few days, usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
Your 3D scan shows whether you need a graft. Book a free implant evaluation.
Book a consultationHow long before the implant?
It depends on the graft. Some implants are placed at the same time as the graft. Larger grafts usually need a few months to heal before the implant goes in.
What does a bone graft cost?
The price depends on the type and size of graft. Your written quote after your free evaluation lists it separately. Some PPO plans pay part of the cost, and we check your benefits before treatment.
Bone grafting at our Tustin office
Grafting and implant placement happen in the same office, planned from the same 3D scan. Our office is at 604 E 1st St in the Larwin Square Shopping Center in Tustin, near Irvine, City of Orange and Santa Ana. Call (714) 505-9462 or book online.
Questions patients ask
Can I avoid a graft?
Sometimes. Placing an implant soon after an extraction, or a plan like All-on-X that uses the strongest bone, can reduce the need. Your scan shows the options.
Is graft material safe?
Graft materials are FDA-cleared biologic materials processed with strict standards and are widely used in surgical and implant dentistry. Ask us which type we recommend for you.
A strong base for your implant
A graft acts as a template that allows solid bone to grow, which forms the foundation of your implant. Your 3D scan shows whether you need one, before you commit to anything.
Sources: American Academy of Periodontology: Surgical Procedures · American Academy of Periodontology: Sinus Augmentation
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This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Book a visit for advice about your own teeth.