Bone Grafting Howell

When a bone graft may be recommended

Not everyone needs a graft. We check the height and width of your bone with digital X-rays before suggesting one. Grafting is commonly considered in these situations:

• Before a dental implant — when the bone is too thin or soft to hold the implant firmly
• At the time of an extraction — to help preserve the socket so the area is ready for an implant later
• After injury — when trauma has damaged part of the jaw
• Long-term tooth loss — where bone has receded after years without a tooth

Types of graft material

Graft material acts as a scaffold. Your body grows its own new bone into it over time. In general, graft material can come from several sources, and we'll recommend the right one for your case:

• Autograft — bone taken from your own body, which integrates very well
• Allograft — human donor bone that has been processed for safety
• Xenograft — bone from an animal source, typically bovine, which supports gradual new bone growth
• Synthetic graft — biocompatible material designed to mimic the structure of natural bone

How Bone Grafting Howell treatment works

Bone grafting is a routine procedure done under local anesthetic. After the area is numb, a small opening in the gum gives access to the bone. The graft material is placed where it is needed, and the gum is closed over it, sometimes with stitches.

Then comes the important part: time. Over the following months your body replaces the graft with its own bone. Recovery varies with the size of the graft and your general health, but most patients are ready for implant placement in about 3 to 6 months. Small grafts placed during an extraction may be part of the same visit.

Recovery and aftercare

Mild soreness and swelling for a few days are normal and can usually be managed with medication and the aftercare instructions we give you. Most people return to normal routines quickly.

• Eat soft foods and chew away from the graft site at first
• Avoid smoking, which slows healing and raises the risk of the graft failing
• Keep the area clean exactly as instructed, without brushing directly on the site early on
• Attend follow-up visits so we can confirm the bone is healing well

Why have your graft done in-house

Many practices send patients elsewhere for grafting and then again for implants. At our office the grafting, the implant and the final teeth are planned by one team, so nothing gets lost between offices and you do not have to repeat your story. Dr. Abraham Y Husney holds a Diplomat Certificate of Completion from a Dental Implant Surgical Seminar, and his clinical skills range from direct restorations to complex extractions.

We offer comfort aids and sedation options, appointments that run on time, and Sunday hours for patients who cannot take time off during the week. See how grafting fits into dental implant treatment or snap-in implant dentures.

Cost and next steps

The cost depends on the size of the graft and the material used, so we provide a written estimate after your scans. Our coordinators check what your plan covers with any of the 32 PPO plans we are in-network with, and in-house and third-party financing can spread the cost of grafting and implants into monthly payments. Book a consultation online or call to find out whether your jaw is ready for an implant.