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Oral surgery

Dental bone grafting in Herriman

Were you told you do not have enough bone for an implant? A bone graft can rebuild the area so you have more choices for replacing teeth.

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What is a dental bone graft?

A bone graft adds bone material to a spot in the jaw that has thinned. Your body slowly grows its own bone into the graft. Over a few months the area becomes thick and strong enough to hold an implant.

  • Often done with only numbing
  • Can be done when a tooth is removed or later
  • Healing usually takes three months or more

Why the jawbone shrinks

Your jawbone stays full because tooth roots press on it when you chew. When a tooth is lost, the bone in that spot starts to shrink. A graft may help if you have:

  • A tooth that has been missing for a while
  • Bone lost to advanced gum disease
  • A tooth about to be removed where you may want an implant
  • Thin bone in the upper back jaw, close to the sinus
  • A sunken look in the cheeks or lips from bone loss

Your dentist measures your bone on x-rays or a scan. If there is enough, you may not need a graft at all. If a graft is needed, your dentist will plan it with you and explain how it fits into your implant plan.

What to expect

  1. Planning. Your dentist reviews your imaging and health history and explains where the graft goes and why.
  2. Numbing. The area is numbed. Ask about ways to relax if you feel nervous.
  3. Placing the graft. A small opening is made in the gum. Graft material is packed into the thin area and often covered with a thin protective layer.
  4. Closing. The gum is closed with stitches. Many grafts take under an hour, though larger ones take longer.
  5. Healing. New bone grows in over three to twelve months, based on the size of the graft. Your dentist checks on it before any implant is placed.

Common kinds of grafts

A socket graft fills the hole right after an extraction to keep the bone from caving in. A larger graft can build up a ridge that has already thinned. A sinus lift adds bone under the sinus in the upper back jaw. Your dentist will explain which one fits your case.

Healing after a bone graft

Expect some swelling and soreness for a few days. Use ice on the outside of your face for the first day. Eat soft foods and chew away from the graft. Do not poke the area with your tongue or fingers. Skip smoking, straws and hard rinsing while the site heals. You may notice tiny grains in your mouth for a few days. A few is normal. Take all medicines as directed and keep your follow-up visits. Call us if swelling grows after day three or you have a fever.

Cost and insurance

Your cost depends on the care you need and your dental plan. After your exam, we give you an estimate and go over what your insurance is likely to cover before any treatment starts. We work with most major dental plans and accept CareCredit.

See insurance and payment options

FAQ

Questions about dental bone grafting

Where does the graft material come from?
Most grafts use processed donor bone or a safe, bone-like material made in a lab. Your dentist will tell you what is planned for you and why.
Can the graft and implant be done the same day?
Sometimes. If only a small amount of bone is needed, both may be placed at once. Larger grafts usually need to heal first. Your dentist decides based on your bone.
Is a bone graft painful?
The area is numbed, so you should feel pressure but not sharp pain. Soreness for a few days after is normal and is often eased with over-the-counter pain relief.
Do I need a graft if I am not getting an implant?
Not always. A graft can still help in some cases, such as protecting the teeth next to a gap or improving the fit of a bridge. Your dentist will tell you if it makes sense for you.

Related care

You may also want to know about

Tooth Extractions

Careful removal of a tooth that cannot be saved, plus a plan to replace it if you want one.

About tooth extractions

Questions?

Call to book your visit

Our Herriman team will answer your questions and find a time that works for you.

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