Bone Grafting
We'll help you prepare for dental implants with bone grafting.
Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that involves placing dental bone graft material in areas where the bone has resorbed, or a tooth has been extracted. The purpose of bone grafting is to restore the proper density, height, and width of the bone in the jaw. Bone grafts can be either from the patient or from a donor source and may either be a bone block or granules. In many cases, we offer bone grafting treatment before we place dental implants or during implant surgery to ensure the long-term success of dental implants. As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, our doctor is especially qualified to offer comprehensive bone grafting services, from socket preservation to sinus lifts. Below are additional bone grafting techniques.
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The Benefits of Bone Grafting
As the foundation of your smile, your bone supports your teeth and helps preserve your facial structure. But it needs the stimulation of tooth roots to remain dense and strong. When teeth are extracted or lost, the jawbone no longer receives stimulation and will resorb and shrink. Bone loss can lead to shifting and loosening of remaining teeth, loss of lip and cheek support, jaw joint problems, and more. To help ensure that these functional and aesthetic consequences do not occur or worsen, we provide bone grafting. Having a smile restored to proper function and esthetics can significantly improve your confidence, health, and quality of life!
Bone Grafting Recovery, Costs, and Implant Planning in Houston
Bone grafting is often the “foundation step” that helps your jaw support a future implant with the right height, width, and density. If you’re planning an implant, it’s helpful to understand the typical healing windows and how grafting can affect your overall tooth extraction to implant timeline—especially if your bone needs time to rebuild before implant placement.
After your procedure, the most important thing is protecting the graft site while your body starts forming new bone. Simple habits—rest, soft foods, and avoiding straws or smoking—can make a big difference in your results. For practical do’s and don’ts (including what to eat and what symptoms are normal), review our dental bone graft aftercare guide.
Cost is another common concern, and it can vary based on the type of graft, the amount of bone needed, and whether grafting is combined with other procedures. If you’re weighing options for replacing multiple missing teeth, our breakdown of the cost of 2 dental implants with bone grafting can help you plan realistically.
Finally, insurance questions come up a lot—coverage depends on your plan and whether the graft is considered medically necessary as part of treatment. See what typically affects approval and out-of-pocket costs in our article on dental bone graft covered by insurance.
Types of Bone Grafting
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Socket Preservation
Socket preservation is a bone grafting procedure we complete after tooth extraction. This involves packing bone graft material into the empty tooth socket. Socket preservation slows the resorption process where the tooth is missing. It can also help preserve the health of the bone until a dental implant can be placed.
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Ridge Augmentation
Ridge augmentation refers to a bone grafting procedure that restores the natural density and contours of part or the entirety of a jaw ridge. Restoring healthy bone levels to a jaw arch can make dentures more comfortable and well-fitted to your gum line.
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Sinus Lift
When bone in the premolar or molar areas of the jaw has lost density or volume, you may benefit from a sinus lift. Gently lifting the sinus cavity, bone grafting material can be placed beneath to restore proper bone height and density. A complex surgery, a skilled oral surgeon is the best choice if you need this treatment.
Contact Bellaire Modern Dental
Please contact us with any questions, or to schedule an appointment or consultation. We look forward to hearing from you.
or call (832) 847-6542