Dental Bone Graft in Poway, CA

Rebuilding a foundation for the teeth

A dental bone graft is a procedure that adds volume and density to an area of the jaw where bone has been lost. The graft acts as a scaffold that the body can gradually replace with its own bone over a period of months. Grafting is most often used to prepare a site for a dental implant, though it may also help preserve a socket after an extraction or support treatment for advanced gum disease.

Whether a graft is needed, and how much material is required, depends on the individual case. During a consultation, our dentists evaluate the site, review your health history, and use 3D imaging when clinically appropriate to measure the bone that is present before recommending a plan.

Why bone loss happens

The jawbone relies on the stimulation of natural teeth to maintain its shape and volume. When a tooth is lost or removed, the bone in that area can begin to shrink. Several situations may lead to a recommendation for grafting.

• A tooth has been missing for a period of time and the ridge has narrowed or lowered.
• Advanced gum disease has damaged the bone that supports the teeth.
• A tooth is being removed and the socket may be preserved to keep future options open.
• There is not enough bone height or width to place a dental implant safely.
• A previous infection, injury, or cyst has reduced the bone in an area.

Types of bone grafting

Socket preservation

When a tooth is removed, grafting material may be placed in the empty socket to limit the natural shrinkage that follows. This can make it easier to place an implant later and help maintain the shape of the ridge. Socket preservation is a common companion to a planned extraction when an implant is being considered.

Ridge augmentation

When a ridge has already narrowed or lowered, ridge augmentation rebuilds width or height so that a restoration or implant can be supported. The amount of material and the healing time depend on how much bone has been lost.

Sinus grafting

In the upper back jaw, the sinus cavity can sit close to where implants are needed. A sinus graft adds bone in this region so that an implant has enough support. This approach is considered only when imaging shows it is appropriate for the individual patient.

• Dental Implants
• Tooth Extraction
• Oral Surgery

What to expect during the procedure

Bone grafting is usually a straightforward outpatient procedure. The exact steps depend on the type of graft and whether it is combined with an extraction or implant placement.

1. The dentist reviews your health history and 3D imaging to plan the site.
2. The area is numbed, and sedation options may be discussed for comfort.
3. Grafting material is placed and protected so the body can heal around it.
4. The site is closed and aftercare instructions are provided.
5. Healing is monitored over the following months before the next stage of treatment.

Grafting material may come from several sources, and the dentist will explain the option chosen for your case. Most patients manage the recovery with routine care, though healing time varies by individual and by the size of the graft.

• Sedation Dentistry
• Same-Day Dental Implants
• Periodontics

Healing and next steps

After a graft is placed, the body needs time to replace the scaffold with its own bone. This healing period commonly spans several months before an implant or restoration is placed, although the timeline depends on the site and the patient. The dentist will monitor progress and confirm that the bone is ready before moving to the next stage.

What affects the cost of a bone graft

There is no single price for bone grafting because each case is different. Several factors influence the plan the dentist recommends.

• The type of graft, such as socket preservation, ridge augmentation, or sinus grafting
• The size of the area being treated and the amount of material needed
• The grafting material selected for the case
• Whether the graft is combined with an extraction or implant placement
• Whether sedation or additional imaging is part of the plan

We accept most PPO insurance and financing is available. Your dentist will review costs and insurance before treatment begins, and we provide a personalized estimate at your consultation.

• Insurance and Financing
• Contact Us

Why patients choose Gentle Dentistry of Poway

• Care from Dr. Shabnam Pedram and Dr. Maggie Abadan
• CBCT 3D imaging used to plan grafting when clinically appropriate
• Grafting coordinated with implant and extraction treatment in one office
• Clear explanations of the material, healing time, and next steps
• Sedation options discussed for patient comfort
• Convenient care for patients in Poway, Rancho Bernardo, and Scripps Ranch

Information on this website is educational and does not replace an examination, diagnosis, or personalized treatment plan from a licensed dentist. Treatment recommendations, timing, costs, and results vary by patient.