There are various reasons why your doctor may recommend bone grafting. As an example, when you have a tooth extracted, over time, your jaw bone will often resorb (shrink) in that particular area because there is no tooth present. If you later decide to have a dental implant in that area, there may not be enough bone to support the implant. In such a case, bone grafting may be necessary to accommodate the dental implant.

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Generally, when you need to have a tooth removed and you plan on having a dental implant to replace it, we often recommend bone grafting at the same time that the tooth is removed, a term we call "socket preservation." This helps prevent the socket from resorbing and enhances the amount of bone present for future dental implant placement. Imagine a contractor trying to build a tall building; it will require a specific-sized foundation to support it. This is similar to how a dental implant requires an appropriate amount of bone to support it.

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Another scenario where bone grafting may be required is if you have 'pathology,' or a lesion in your jaw bone that needs to be removed. If the space that is left behind is quite large, bone grafting can help fill in the defect.

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In most cases, the dental bone graft procedure is pain-free and is fairly simple. We use various bone replacement materials that make it easy to achieve our goal.

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After the bone graft is placed, you can expect to wait from 2-5 months for the graft to 'heal' before the implant can be placed. During your consultation appointment, our oral surgeon will explain the process in detail and answer any questions you may have.

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Bone grafting is offered in our Waxhaw office with the patient either awake or asleep. During your consultation appointment, our oral surgeon will discuss each option and make a recommendation on which is best for you.

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What does a bone graft cost?

The cost of bone grafting depends both on your insurance benefits and the amount of grafting required. Our insurance coordinator will be happy to review your benefits with you and provide you with financing options.

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Our oral surgeon, Dr. Parelli, will discuss any questions you may have on the day of your consultation at our Waxhaw office.