Bone Grafting in Riverview
A Riverview patient comes in after losing a lower molar years ago. The tooth was removed, life got busy, and now there's interest in a dental implant — but the jawbone where that tooth used to sit has quietly thinned out. This is one of the most common conversations we have at our office on Allen Rd. in Woodhaven, just a short drive for our Riverview neighbors. The good news is that missing bone can often be rebuilt. Bone grafting is the procedure that makes that possible, and it's performed right here in our practice.
Your jawbone depends on tooth roots for stimulation. When a tooth is extracted or lost to injury or advanced gum disease, the bone that once supported it begins to shrink. Over months and years, that ridge can narrow and lose height. A bone graft places grafting material into the area so your body can regenerate healthy, stable bone in its place.
We see this come up in several situations. Patients who want dental implants often need a graft first so there's enough solid bone to anchor the implant. Patients having a tooth removed may choose a socket preservation graft at the same visit, which helps maintain the ridge and keeps future options open. Others need grafting as part of treating bone loss from periodontal disease, or alongside procedures like crown lengthening and gum grafting. Because we also provide extractions, wisdom teeth removal, implants, implant-supported dentures and complete or partial dentures, we can look at the whole plan rather than one step in isolation.
Not everyone who is missing a tooth needs a graft, which is why we start with a complimentary consultation. We examine the area, take X-rays, review your medical and dental history, and talk honestly about whether grafting is necessary for the result you want. If your bone volume is already sufficient for an implant, we'll tell you that.
Good candidates generally include adults planning implants in an area of bone loss, patients facing an extraction who want to protect the site, denture wearers whose ridge has resorbed, and patients with bone loss from gum disease whose infection is under control. We treat patients of all ages and accept oral surgery patients without a referral, so Riverview families don't need an extra appointment elsewhere before getting started.
- A clear explanation of whether a graft is needed, and what happens if you wait
- Treatment planned around your larger goal — implant, denture, or saving the ridge
- Comfort options including nitrous oxide sedation and IV sedation where appropriate
- Our comfort menu: blankets, warm towels, neck pillows, headphones, Netflix and refreshments
- A written estimate with a complimentary check of your insurance benefits
What the Procedure and Recovery Involve
On the day of the graft, we numb the area thoroughly and, if you've chosen it, provide sedation. A small opening is made in the gum tissue to reach the bone, the site is cleaned, and grafting material is placed and shaped to rebuild the ridge. A protective membrane may be positioned over the graft, and the gum tissue is closed with sutures. When a graft is placed at the same time as an extraction, the two are done in a single visit.
Healing happens in two stages. The surface tissue closes within a couple of weeks, while the bone itself integrates and matures over several months before an implant can be placed. Afterward, expect some swelling and tenderness. We'll give you specific instructions on medication, rinsing, and eating soft foods for a period, along with guidance on avoiding smoking and strenuous activity. We schedule follow-up visits to check healing, and because we offer emergency dental appointments, Riverview patients always have somewhere to call if something doesn't feel right.
Cost, Insurance and Getting Started
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and self-pay patients, and we'll run a complimentary benefits check before you commit to anything, so you know what your plan covers. For patients who want to spread payments out, we accept CareCredit financing. We also take cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
If you don't have dental insurance, our in-house membership plan is $199 a year for ages 18 and up and $99 for ages 17 and younger. It has no annual maximum, no deductibles, no waiting period and no pre-authorizations, covering exams, X-rays, two cleanings and two fluoride treatments a year at 100%, with 20% to 50% off other treatment.
Our five doctors include general dentists and a board-certified orthodontist, and our on-site dental lab lets us make and adjust crowns, dentures and appliances here. Se habla español. Call to schedule your complimentary consultation.