Dental implants are an investment in your dental health as well as your smile. For some patients, getting dental implants that will last involves bone grafting. Bone grafting adds extra time and expense to the dental implant process. If your dentist has told you that you will need bone grafting before receiving your implants, it's a good idea to know the financial investment of this service.
The Cost of Bone Grafting for Dental Implants
The extent of professional work needed on your jawbone will ultimately determine the cost of a dental bone graft. A simple dental bone graft for a single dental implant area using synthetic bone will run between $300 and $800. However, if the bone graft uses bone harvested from the patient, hospitalization is required, and related costs are higher. It also requires the services of an orthopedic surgeon and anesthesiologist, resulting in costs between $2500 and $3500, just for the bone grafting alone. These are estimates, and actual costs will fluctuate based on several factors, such as location, the materials used, the experience and skill of the dental providers, and your individual case.
Keep in mind that there are several payment options available, such as CareCredit®, to help make these services more affordable for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants
How Long Does It Take the Bone Grafting Site to Heal Before I Can Get an Implant?
The bone graft needs a minimum of four months to heal and be strong enough to support a dental implant. If a tooth extraction is necessary, we can do the extraction, membrane, and bone graft on the same day. Once it heals, you come back into the office, and we place the implant (typically a titanium screw), which will need to heal for approximately another four months. Once it has healed, we uncover the implant and allow it to heal for about another month. During that time, the lab can perfect your crown, which can be placed once the month is over.
What Kind of Sedation is Used for Bone Grafts and Dental Implants?
Bone grafts and dental implants can involve various levels of sedation dentistry, depending on the patient's comfort level. We can offer shots of Novocaine to temporarily numb the area, as well as nitrous oxide, commonly known as "laughing gas." For patients who need more support for their comfort, we can provide IV sedation that will help them go completely to sleep.
Alternatively, we can offer an oral sedation option, which will help them feel like they are taking a nap during the procedure. Oral sedation is a popular choice as it is practical yet still enables you to cooperate with the procedure. It's also an economical choice.
Bone Grafting at The Smile Architects
At The Smile Architects, we can help make your dental implant dreams a reality, even if you require bone grafting. Call 704-875-1621 today to schedule an appointment and learn more about our dental implant services.