A bone graft is a procedure that adds new bone material to a location in your mouth to repair or rebuild bone. It is typically recommended to re-establish the proper amount and shape of bone necessary to support your natural teeth or prepare the area for tooth replacement procedures.
Bone grafts are recommended for many reasons:
The names of bone grafts reflect the type of bone or bone-like material used.
Your dentist will explain the pros and cons, including any potential risks of each type of bone graft material and which one would work best for you. Your dentist may not perform all types of bone grafts and may refer you to an oral surgeon or periodontist.
Some advantages of bone grafts include:
Specific bone grafting procedures have different steps. They are described in the links below. The process for your bone graft may vary, and you should discuss specific details with your dentist.
There are no true treatment alternatives to bone grafts. However, in some situations, certain elements of the bone graft procedure may be achieved using other methods.
Bone resorption will usually occur at the site if you experience tooth loss with no plan to replace the tooth. If enough bone is lost, a dental implant or bridge may no longer be a viable option without more advanced grafting procedures. Replacement teeth will look unnaturally long if placed in a site where resorption has occurred.
Plan Coverage Disclaimer
Services described in this resource may not be covered by your dental plan. Your dental plan administrator may also place limits on services, or some of the services may be eligible medical plan expenses. Other services may be subject to review for dental necessity. This may affect the services your plan will cover and the amount your plan considers to be an eligible dental plan expense. Consider submitting a pre-treatment estimate before services are rendered. Please refer to your certificate for coverage details.
Last updated: 2/26/2021 • Medical review: Thomas J. Greany DDS, 12/19/2020
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