When there is not enough bone in the jaw to support a dental implant, a bone graft builds it back. Bone loss after tooth extraction is common and often happens faster than patients expect — the jawbone begins to resorb within the first few months of losing a tooth and can lose significant volume in the first year. A bone graft procedure restores that density, creating a stable foundation so an implant can integrate properly and last long-term.
At Smile Craft Dental, we evaluate your bone volume using 3D cone beam imaging at our Redwood City office. If a graft is needed before your dental implant, we walk you through the procedure, the healing timeline, and what to expect at each stage — before any treatment begins.
Why Bone Loss Happens After Tooth Loss
Your jawbone stays dense because the roots of your teeth stimulate it every time you chew. When a tooth is lost, that stimulation stops. The body recognizes the bone as no longer needed and begins reabsorbing calcium from it — a process called resorption. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, tooth loss and jawbone deterioration are closely linked, and the longer a tooth is missing without replacement, the more bone is lost. A dental implant is the only tooth replacement option that stops this process — because it replaces the root, not just the crown.
Patients who have worn dentures for many years often experience significant bone loss because dentures do not provide root-level stimulation. Similarly, bone loss can occur from gum disease, trauma, or infection even without tooth loss. A bone graft addresses the result regardless of the cause.
| Planning implants in Redwood City? Ask us about bone grafting at your consultation. | Request an Appointment |
Types of Bone Graft Material
Not all bone grafts use the same material. The right type depends on the location, the amount of bone needed, and the patient’s health history. Here are the four main categories we work with.
What the Bone Grafting Procedure Looks Like
Bone grafting is a minor surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia at our Redwood City office. Here is what to expect.
Recovery After Bone Grafting
Most patients experience mild swelling, bruising, and soreness for three to five days after the procedure — similar to what follows a tooth extraction. Over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs manage discomfort well for most patients. If antibiotics are prescribed, completing the full course is important. Stick to soft foods for the first week and avoid chewing on the grafted side. Gentle brushing and rinsing with warm salt water helps keep the area clean without disrupting healing.
The graft itself takes three to six months to fully integrate with your existing bone before implant placement can proceed. We monitor the healing process with imaging and schedule your implant surgery once the bone is confirmed to be ready. The wait is essential — placing an implant before the graft has fully integrated is the primary cause of early implant failure.
We accept most major PPO insurance plans — some plans provide partial coverage for bone grafting when it is part of an implant treatment plan. We do not accept Delta Dental. Flexible financing through Cherry is available for patients who need to spread out the cost of their full implant and grafting treatment.
| Ready to start your implant journey? Schedule your bone grafting consultation at Smile Craft Dental Redwood City. | Request an Appointment |
Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Grafting in Redwood City
Below are the questions patients ask most often about bone grafting before starting the implant process.
What is a bone graft?
A bone graft is a procedure that adds bone material to areas of the jaw where bone has been lost due to tooth loss, gum disease, or trauma. It creates a stable foundation for dental implants by restoring the volume and density the jawbone needs to securely hold the titanium post during and after osseointegration.
Do I need a bone graft before a dental implant?
Not always — but it depends on how much bone you have at the implant site. We evaluate this with 3D cone beam imaging at our Redwood City office. If the bone is too thin, too soft, or insufficient in height or width to hold an implant securely, a graft is needed first. Patients who have had a tooth missing for a year or more, or who have had gum disease, are more likely to need grafting. We can tell you definitively at your consultation.
How long does healing take after a bone graft?
Most bone grafts require three to six months of healing before implant placement can proceed. The graft material must fully integrate with your existing bone during this period. We monitor progress with follow-up imaging and schedule implant surgery once the bone is confirmed to be ready. Placing an implant before the graft is fully integrated is the most common cause of early implant failure — so the wait is essential.
Is bone grafting painful?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you feel pressure but not pain during the surgery. Afterward, most patients experience mild soreness, swelling, and sometimes minor bruising for three to five days — similar to what follows a tooth extraction. Over-the-counter pain relievers manage discomfort well in most cases. If significant pain develops after the first few days or you develop a fever, call our office.
What types of bone graft material are used?
The four main types are autograft (your own bone), allograft (donor bone from a tissue bank), xenograft (typically bovine bone), and alloplastic (synthetic material). Each has clinical advantages depending on the situation. We select the most appropriate material based on your specific anatomy, the volume needed, and your health history — and we explain the reasoning before your procedure.
Does insurance cover bone grafting?
Coverage varies significantly. Some PPO plans cover bone grafting partially when it is part of a medically necessary implant treatment plan. Others classify it as a separate surgical procedure with its own benefit schedule. We do not accept Delta Dental. Our team verifies your specific benefits before treatment and provides a clear cost estimate. Cherry financing is available to spread the cost over monthly payments.
Bone Grafting at Smile Craft Dental in Redwood City
If you have been told you need a bone graft before an implant — or if you are not sure whether you qualify for implants at all — our Redwood City team can give you a clear, honest assessment using 3D imaging. We walk you through every step, from grafting through to your final crown, with transparent cost estimates and no pressure to commit before you are ready.
We accept most major PPO insurance plans, offer Cherry financing, and do not accept Delta Dental. Contact our Redwood City office to schedule your bone grafting consultation today.
