Patients considering dental implants are most likely to need a jaw bone graft. If you don’t have enough gum and bone structure to support the implant, we can perform the necessary additional surgery to begin restoring that structure. After the jaw bone graft, you may also need a gum graft. In either case, at the end of the process you’ll be ready for your new implant.
Contact Pure Dental Arts in Seattle and Everett, WA, or read on to find out more about jaw bone grafts.
What is a jaw bone graft?
A jaw bone graft is a surgical procedure that helps to restore the bone structure in your mouth.
In the past, often a jaw bone graft was performed by taking a little bone from another part of your body and grafting it into the weakened jaw bone. Some oral surgeons still do that, but many now use a dedicated bone-grafting material. In either case the graft is usually paired with a special mesh that stimulates tissue growth.
The graft itself takes place over a single visit, but the healing that restores your bone structure will take several months. Some lucky patients can get the graft and the implant on the same visit. Most patients must wait before moving on to the dental implant.
Who is a good candidate for a jaw bone graft?
The procedure requires your overall health to be reasonably good. There are only a few people who might have chronic conditions that might preclude the graft. Be sure to discuss any conditions (you know of) with your dental team.
Are jaw bone grafts painful?
We’ll use a local anesthetic during the surgery to minimize your pain. In case you are still worried you’ll feel more than you want to, we offer sedation dentistry. That is an outpatient procedure. Most people can get back to work the next day.
Few people experience pain after a jaw bone graft. We will give you antibiotics to take, and most discomfort can be handled by over-the-counter painkillers. In rare cases, we’ll add a prescription painkiller. Though the healing process can take months, it shouldn’t interfere with your day-to-day activities.
How much does a jaw bone graft cost?
We can get the procedure done for less than $3000, typically. Dental insurance is likely to cover at least part of the costs, but you should check with your specific provider for details.
Few people come in to ask us for a gum graft, of course. But if you think you might need dental implants, call us. It’s possible you won’t need a graft to go with it. But if you do, we’ll include it as part of your total treatment plan. We’ll be open and upfront with you about all costs, expected healing times, and your ability to undergo surgery.