Bone Grafting Considerations

Bone Grafting Considerations Dental Implants Buffalo, NY Oral Surgery

If you need bone grafting, you may have a lot of questions regarding the process. Whether you are concerned about maintaining the aesthetics of your facial structure, wondering how long it will take to heal, or have questions about the material used, we have answers. Keep reading to find out about the common bone grafting considerations patients often have when considering bone grafting in Buffalo, NY.

More and more often, we see patients coming in with questions about bone grafting. The most common question we hear is, what exactly is bone grafting? The reason for this is because dental treatments are becoming a much more popular method of treatment to replace missing teeth. I talk to the patients and explain that bone grafting is an outpatient surgical procedure that regenerate or replace missing bone often associated with gum disease. Bone grafting is often used for dental implants so they implants have enough bone tissue for osseointegration. This helps to stabilize an implant and provide a stronger fusion to the bone, thereby increasing the success rate of the overall treatment plan for dental implants. If you or someone you love is considering dental implants but have a history of gum disease or periodontal disease, keep reading to learn about the bone grafting considerations you should keep in mind when considering dental implants.

What Is Bone Grafting Material Made Of?

Usually when patients come in and they want to move forward with an dental implant procedure, or dental implant treatment, I tell them they may require a bone graft. Then I go in and explain the different types of bone grafts that might be used. Basically, in dentistry there’s two different types. There’s an autograft, which is using your own bone or the bone from the patient, which we really don’t do very often because it would require a second surgical site, and that usually creates a lot more trauma in the area and a lot more pain for the patient. What is more common is the allograft, or what we do is we use bone from a source, whether it be a cadaver, possibly a cow, possibly pigs. Depending on the situation that is involved, those will be the materials that will be used. These are crafted from non-vital bone and processed at high temperatures to create a substance that is safe and biocompatable for humans. This basically creates the building blocks for new bone tissue to grow. Keep reading for more bone grafting considerations.

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How Much Does Bone Grafting Cost?

One of the biggest bone grafting considerations is cost. In fact, a patient came into the office recently and they were getting ready to move forward with their dental implant treatment, and I mentioned that a bone graft might be possible. I like to mention that ahead of time because there’s usually a little bit of an added cost with that procedure. Depending on how extensive the bone graft is going to be can determine how much the bone graft is going to cost and the amount of materials that are going to be used. These are going to be individualized for specific treatments for the patient, which can also be discussed, at their appointment but I would approximately give a range anywhere between $300 and $800. Again there are many factors that play a role in determining the cost, and these can vary depending on the case and condition of the patients jaw.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Bone Grafting?

A lot of times insurance will cover multiple procedures related to dental implants. Sometimes dental insurance will even cover bone grafting, sometimes it will not; it all depends on the insurance and the available coverage. When patients are considering dental implants or bone grafting, before any procedure takes place, we can usually get a pre-authorization from your insurance to find out whether that is going to be covered before we undertake any treatment. This way you are fully aware of any out-of-pocket expenses ahead of time. We also offer free consultations for dental implants so it won’t cost you anything to find out if you are eligible. If you are considering a dental implant or have any questions about bone grafting considerations not covered here, we invite you to schedule a free consultation today.

Are Bone Grafts Safe?

Another one of the most common bone grafting considerations is whether it is safe. Bone grafting is a very safe procedure. A lot of times, if we’re going to use the bone from the patient, it’s the safest because it’s coming directly from that patient. This way your body is much less likely to reject it. However, oftentimes we must outsource our bone from other sources, whether it be cadaver bone; porcine bone, which is pig bone; bovine bone, which is cow bone. All these sources, though, come from a tissue bank that are sterilized multiple times and are tested, and is very safe to use in surgical procedures.

If you have any questions about dental implants, bone grafting, or any questions about your oral health, we encourage you to contact us today to arrange a free consultation. With over 40 years of experience serving West Seneca and the Greater Buffalo community, we welcome the opportunity to make you a part of the Teach Dental Group family.

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