Bone Grafting in Boca Raton
A tooth comes out — maybe a molar that cracked years ago, or one that finally gave way after a long run with gum disease — and the plan is to replace it with an implant. Then the scan comes back and there isn't enough bone left to hold that implant securely. This is one of the most common situations we see in our Boca Raton office, and it's rarely a dead end. Bone grafting rebuilds the foundation first, so the restoration that follows has something solid to anchor to.
Bone is living tissue, and it responds to use. When a tooth root is removed or lost, the jawbone in that spot no longer gets the daily stimulation of chewing, and it begins to shrink in both height and width. Long-standing periodontal disease does similar damage, dissolving the bone that surrounds and supports the roots. Bone grafting places graft material into the deficient site so your body can rebuild and reinforce that area over time, restoring enough volume to support an implant or stabilize the remaining structures.
As a periodontal practice, bone and gum tissue are our daily focus. We place dental implants, perform ridge augmentation to widen or build up a collapsed ridge, and provide periodontal regeneration for bone lost to disease around natural teeth. Grafting is frequently the step that makes those other treatments possible — including full arch options such as All-on-4, All-on-6, and All-on-X. A board-certified periodontist is on staff, and we see patients from Boca Raton with or without a referral from another dentist.
Not everyone who needs an implant needs a graft, and not every graft is the same size. Some are small, placed into a socket right after an extraction to preserve the shape of the ridge while it heals. Others are more involved, rebuilding a ridge that has been missing teeth for years. We determine which applies only after examining the site and reviewing imaging.
You may be a candidate for bone grafting if any of these describe your situation:
- You've lost one or more teeth and want dental implants, but have been told you lack sufficient bone
- You're having a tooth extracted and want to preserve the ridge for a future implant
- Gum disease has eroded the bone around teeth you'd like to keep
- Your ridge has narrowed or flattened, making a denture fit poorly or an implant impossible to place
- You're planning implant-supported bridges, implant-supported dentures, or a full mouth restoration
Active gum infection needs to be addressed first. We provide gum disease treatment and oral hygiene care, and in many cases treating the infection is step one of the grafting plan, not a separate issue.
What the Procedure Involves
Treatment begins with a thorough evaluation of the site, your bite, and your overall goals. We talk through whether the graft will happen at the same time as an extraction or implant placement, or as its own appointment with a healing period in between. Because we maintain an on-site dental lab, coordinating the restorative side of your case stays under one roof, which cuts down on back-and-forth for Boca Raton patients juggling work and family schedules.
During the procedure, the area is numbed, the site is accessed and cleaned of any diseased tissue, and graft material is packed into the defect and protected so it stays in place. The site is closed with sutures. Most patients are surprised how straightforward the appointment itself feels compared to what they imagined.
Healing and Aftercare
The first few days call for soft foods, avoiding the surgical site when brushing, and following the home-care instructions we send with you. We ask you to skip vigorous rinsing, straws, and smoking while the graft stabilizes, since disturbing the area is the main thing that interferes with healing. Some swelling is normal and typically eases within the first week.
Bone needs months, not days, to mature into a foundation strong enough for an implant. We schedule follow-up visits to check the site and re-image when appropriate before moving to the next phase. Once implants are placed, we provide ongoing implant maintenance, because the tissue around an implant needs the same attention we'd give natural teeth.
Payment and Scheduling in Boca Raton
We are an out-of-network, fee-for-service practice and do not take insurance. We do file claims as a specialist, which can help patients with out-of-network benefits seek reimbursement directly from their carrier. Self-pay and cash patients are welcome, and we'll give you a clear written treatment plan with costs before anything is scheduled.
Along with Boca Raton, we care for patients from Highland Beach, Deerfield Beach, and Delray Beach. If you've been told bone loss rules out implants, call us and let's look at the site together.