Bone Grafting in Agoura Hills
If you have been told you don't have enough jawbone for a dental implant, or you lost a tooth a while ago and noticed the area seems to be shrinking, you are not alone. Bone loss in the jaw is common after tooth loss, gum disease, or injury, and it can affect your options for replacing teeth. At 805 Dentistry, we help patients from Agoura Hills and neighboring communities rebuild that foundation through bone grafting, so they can move forward with the restorative care they want.
Bone grafting is a procedure that adds bone or bone-like material to areas of the jaw where bone has thinned or been lost. Over time, the graft supports your body's own bone growth, creating a stronger, fuller base. We most often recommend it when a patient wants dental implants but the existing bone is too thin or too short to hold one securely. A related procedure, sinus lift surgery, adds bone to the upper back jaw where the sinus sits close to the tooth roots, and we offer that as well.
Bone grafting can help in many situations. Some Agoura Hills patients come to us after a recent extraction and want to preserve the site for a future implant. Others have worn dentures for years and are now considering implant-supported dentures or All-on-4 or All-on-6 options. Others have bone loss related to gum disease. Benefits of bone grafting can include:
- Creating a stable base for dental implants and implant-supported restorations
- Helping preserve the jaw's shape after a tooth is removed
- Expanding the range of tooth replacement options available to you
- Supporting full-arch and full-mouth implant treatment plans
Your first visit with us starts with a conversation about your goals, your dental history, and any concerns you have. We then take a close look at the bone itself. Our office provides CBCT imaging along with 2D and 3D dental imaging, and we have a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist on staff. Three-dimensional scans let us measure bone height, width, and density, and see nearby structures like the sinuses and nerves. That detail helps us decide whether grafting is needed and how to plan it.
Candidacy depends on your overall oral health, the amount of bone present, and the type of restoration you are working toward. If active gum disease is present, we typically address it first through treatments such as scaling and root planing or periodontal therapy. Our team includes a board-certified periodontist who places implants and performs periodontal regeneration, and you do not need a referral to see our periodontics or oral surgery providers. This makes the process simpler for Agoura Hills families who would rather not coordinate care across several offices.
What happens on the day of my bone graft?
On treatment day, we numb the area thoroughly and place the graft material where your bone needs support. The exact approach depends on your plan. A graft may be placed at the time of an extraction, as a separate procedure before an implant, or as part of a sinus lift. We explain each step before we begin so you know what to expect.
If you feel anxious about dental work, we can help. We have a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on staff and offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. Many patients find that sedation makes surgical appointments far more comfortable, and we will talk through which option suits your needs and health history.
How do I care for a bone graft afterward?
Good aftercare protects the graft while it heals. Before you leave, we give you instructions specific to your procedure. These typically cover eating, cleaning around the site, managing discomfort, and activities to avoid while the area settles. Following them closely gives the graft the best environment to integrate with your natural bone.
Healing takes time, and the timeline varies from patient to patient. We schedule follow-up visits to check on your progress and use imaging to confirm when the site is ready for the next step, such as implant placement. Our on-site dental lab helps us coordinate restorations, and our periodontal team provides ongoing implant maintenance once your new teeth are in place. If something feels off between visits, we also offer emergency dental appointments.
How can I pay for bone grafting?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and we welcome self-pay patients. Coverage for bone grafting varies by plan, so our team will review your benefits with you and explain what to expect before treatment begins.
For patients who want to spread out the cost, financing is available. Because bone grafting is often one stage of a larger plan that includes implants or dentures, we can help you understand the full picture up front so you can make decisions with confidence. Patients from Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, and the surrounding area are welcome to contact our office to schedule a consultation and learn whether bone grafting is the right step for your smile.