How Much Does Bone Grafting Cost in Bedford, NH?

Dental implants rely on robust and healthy bone mass to anchor in your jaw. If your oral surgeon determines that you do not possess enough bone mass to support a dental implant, you may need a procedure known as bone grafting. Grafting allows your body to add more healthy bone volume to the jaw.

In Bedford, NH, bone grafting typically costs between $750 and $1,500 per tooth.

Why Bone Grafting May Be Necessary

As part of your dental implant consultation, your oral surgeon will take CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scans to understand your teeth and bone structure. A standard dental implant requires sufficient space in the bone to site the anchor. If you do not have enough bone mass to support an implant, your surgeon will recommend a process called a dental bone graft.

The Bone Grafting Procedure

A bone graft involves placing artificial or donor material in the jawbone and allowing it to stimulate natural growth. It is a straightforward procedure that the surgeon can complete in one visit.

To introduce a bone graft, the surgeon makes a small opening in your jawbone and adds sterilized bone material. Then, the surgeon covers the area with a dissolvable membrane and secures the gum over the graft site. Over time, the new material provides a framework for healthy bone growth. The graft may take six to nine months on average to grow enough to support a dental implant post.

Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

Most dental implant patients need socket grafts. If you have had a missing

Sinus Lifts

If you need a dental implant in the back of your jaw, you may need a tooth for some time, the bone around the socket begins to break down and reabsorb into the body due to a lack of chewing stimulation. As a result, insufficient bone mass remains to bond the implant post with the jaw in osseointegration.

As the bone graft heals over a six- to nine-month period, the jaw will gain strength and become able to support an implant anchor. Since the jawbone and sinus cavity are so close together, dental implants may not be possible until the surgeon adjusts the sinus's position. 

The surgeon lifts the sinus membrane and installs a bone graft in the jaw, allowing the jaw to gain enough mass to support an implant without interfering with the sinus cavity.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Dental Bone Grafts

Type of Material Used

• Autograft: This procedure takes bone from another location in the patient's body. This graft type is most likely to succeed but requires additional surgical procedures and is the most expensive.
• Allograft: This procedure uses sterilized human bone from a cadaver, making it safe and effective with fewer surgical risks.
• Xenograft: The most common type of graft involves taking bone from an animal, usually a cow. It is practical and has a low rate of complications.
• Alloplastic Graft: The surgeon uses synthetic bone material to stimulate natural growth. Alloplastic grafts are not always as effective as other procedures.

Type of Procedure

Socket grafts, sinus lifts, and grafts for bone loss due to gum disease have different costs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Grafting

Is bone grafting painful?

Bone grafting is a comfortable procedure in most cases. You will receive local anesthesia and may opt for sedation if desired. You may experience minor discomfort during the healing process, but you can usually manage it with over-the-counter medications.

Can I get a dental implant if my tooth has been missing for years?

If you have a space in your mouth from a missing tooth, the socket has likely broken down over time. In this case, you would need dental bone graft surgery to strengthen your jawbone enough to accept a dental implant. Fortunately, bone grafts have an excellent success rate and can help you complete your natural smile.

Call Braasch OMS

Bone grafting may seem intimidating, but it is a routine surgical procedure to help you achieve the smile you have always wanted. We can review your options and help you decide what type of bone graft surgery you need. Call our Bedford, NH office at 603-657-1984 today.