Bone Grafting in Westlake Village
Losing a tooth affects more than your smile. Over time, the jawbone that once held that tooth can begin to shrink, which may make it harder to replace the tooth later, change how neighboring teeth fit together, and affect the support your face and lips rely on. For many of our patients, bone grafting is the step that makes future tooth replacement possible. Our team at 805 Dentistry in Thousand Oaks regularly welcomes patients from Westlake Village who want a clear, honest conversation about whether their jawbone is ready for the next stage of care.
Bone grafting is a procedure that adds bone or bone-like material to an area of the jaw where bone has thinned or been lost. The graft acts as a foundation and a framework. Over the following months, your body can build new bone in and around it. The goal is to restore enough volume and density in the jaw to support treatments such as dental implants.
We approach grafting as part of a larger plan, not as a standalone event. Because our practice includes a board-certified periodontist, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist, and 2D and 3D imaging, including CBCT imaging, we can look closely at your bone before recommending anything. For Westlake Village families, that means fewer trips between separate offices and one team that understands the full picture of your care.
Patients come to us for bone grafting for several different reasons. One of the most common is planning for an implant after a tooth has been missing for some time. Another is an extraction. When we remove a tooth, a graft placed in the empty socket can help preserve the bone so the area stays ready for replacement later.
Other situations include bone loss related to gum disease, which our periodontal team treats through services such as periodontal regeneration and gum disease therapy. Some patients need added bone in the upper back jaw, where we may recommend a sinus lift. Others have worn dentures for years and now want implant-supported dentures or full-arch options such as All-on-4 or All-on-X, which often depend on adequate bone.
Am I a good candidate for bone grafting?
You may be a good candidate if you are missing one or more teeth, need an extraction, or have been told your jawbone is too thin for implants. The only way to know for certain is a careful exam and imaging, which we provide during your consultation.
During that visit, we review your health history, examine your gums and remaining teeth, and use imaging to measure the height and width of your bone. If gum disease is present, we typically address it first so a graft has a healthy environment. We will talk through your options plainly, including whether grafting fits your goals, so you can make a decision that feels right for you.
What happens during a bone grafting procedure?
The procedure usually involves numbing the area, placing the graft material where bone is needed, and closing the site so it can heal. Depending on your situation, grafting may happen at the time of an extraction or as its own appointment before implant placement.
We know many people feel nervous about oral surgery. Our board-certified dental anesthesiologist offers nitrous, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia for patients with dental anxiety. Here is what you can generally expect:
- A consultation with imaging to plan the graft precisely
- A discussion of comfort and sedation options before treatment
- Placement of the graft, often alongside an extraction or sinus lift when needed
- A healing period while new bone develops
- Follow-up visits to check progress before moving to implants or other restorations
How do I care for a graft, and how can I pay for it?
Aftercare focuses on protecting the site and following the specific instructions we give you. Some tenderness and swelling are common in the first several days, and we will explain how to manage them and what to watch for.
Typically, we ask patients to be gentle around the graft, keep the area clean as directed, and avoid putting pressure on the site while it heals. We schedule follow-up appointments to monitor healing, and our team is available if questions come up along the way. Patients in Westlake Village can reach us when something feels off, and we offer emergency dental appointments when urgent needs arise.
On the financial side, we accept all major PPO insurance plans and welcome self-pay patients. Financing is also available to help spread out the cost of treatment. Because grafting is often one step in a longer plan that may include implants, we review the full sequence with you up front so there are no surprises. Coverage varies from plan to plan, so our team will help you understand your benefits before you begin.
If you live in Westlake Village and have been told you need more bone, or simply want to know where you stand, we would be glad to see you. A consultation is a straightforward first step toward a stable, lasting replacement for missing teeth.