Bone Grafting in Woodland Hills
Maybe you lost a back tooth years ago and never replaced it, and now that you're ready for a dental implant, you've been told the bone in that area has thinned. Or perhaps a tooth needs to come out, and you want to protect the space for a future replacement. These are some of the most common reasons patients from Woodland Hills come to see us at 805 Dentistry about bone grafting. This foundational procedure helps rebuild or preserve the jawbone so that restorative care, especially implants, has solid support.
Bone grafting adds bone or bone-like material to areas of the jaw where natural bone has been lost or is too thin. Once placed, the graft acts as a framework that your body gradually builds on. Over time, this restores volume and strength in that part of the jaw. Bone loss can follow a tooth extraction, a long-standing gap, gum disease, or an injury. Because the jaw no longer receives stimulation where a tooth is missing, the bone in that spot can shrink over the months and years that follow.
For our Woodland Hills patients, grafting often comes up when planning tooth replacement. A dental implant needs enough healthy bone around it to stay stable. When that bone isn't there, grafting can create the foundation first. Related procedures include sinus lift surgery, which adds bone to the upper jaw near the sinuses where height is limited. We also offer periodontal regeneration for bone affected by gum disease.
Many people are referred to grafting after an evaluation for implants, implant-supported bridges, or full-arch options such as All-on-4 or All-on-6. Others are candidates because they are having a tooth removed and want to preserve the site right away. Some have gum disease that has affected the bone supporting their teeth. Because our team includes a board-certified periodontist, we can evaluate and treat bone and gum concerns together under one roof.
Every candidacy decision starts with a thorough exam and imaging. We provide CBCT imaging, which gives a three-dimensional view of your jaw, along with 2D and 3D dental imaging. A board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist is also on our staff. These tools let us see the height, width, and density of your bone clearly before recommending a plan. You don't need a referral to schedule a periodontal consultation with us.
What are the benefits of bone grafting?
The main benefit is a stronger foundation for the treatment you want, whether that is a single implant or a full mouth reconstruction. Grafting can make implant treatment possible for patients who were previously told they didn't have enough bone.
Patients who choose grafting often value these advantages:
- Creating enough bone volume to support dental implants
- Preserving the jawbone after a tooth extraction
- Supporting more natural facial contours where bone has receded
- Rebuilding areas affected by gum disease
- Opening up more tooth replacement options for the future
Because we offer grafting alongside implants, extractions, crowns, bridges, and dentures, your care can be coordinated from start to finish. Our on-site dental lab also helps keep the restorative phase connected to the rest of your treatment.
What happens during the bone grafting procedure, and will I be comfortable?
Yes, your comfort is a priority at every step, and we'll walk you through the process before we begin. After imaging and planning, we numb the treatment area. We then place the graft material where bone is needed and cover the site so it can heal. When grafting is done at the time of an extraction, it often happens in the same visit.
If you feel anxious about dental work, our board-certified dental anesthesiologist offers several sedation options. These include nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. We'll help you choose the level that fits your needs and your procedure.
How do I care for the area after a bone graft?
We give you personalized aftercare instructions before you leave and schedule follow-up visits to check how the site is healing. Following those instructions closely helps protect the graft while your body integrates it.
Healing time varies from person to person, and we'll monitor your progress before moving on to the next step, such as implant placement. If anything concerns you during recovery, call our office. We offer emergency dental appointments when something can't wait.
How can I pay for bone grafting?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, welcome self-pay patients, and offer financing. Before treatment, we'll review your plan and explain the costs, so there are no surprises.
Coverage for grafting differs between insurance plans. Our team will help you understand your benefits and talk through financing if you'd like to spread out payments. Families and individuals throughout Woodland Hills can rely on us for this procedure and a full range of general, cosmetic, and specialty care in one practice, led by Dr. Dar Radfar.