ASK AN EXPERT
Do I Need a Bone Graft?
3rd February 2012
Q.
I am currently looking to replace my missing two front teeth with implants. I have just been for an assessment and the dentist has told me I need a bone graft to make enough bone available for the implants. Is there any way to avoid this?
A.
Firstly we cannot accurately answer your question without seeing you for an assessment and viewing x-rays or scans. If you have insufficient bone volume to place the implants then simply speaking there is no way of avoiding bone grafts if you wish to proceed with implant based restoration of these teeth.
However, the term bone graft is often misconstrued with grafting a patients bone from one area to another. Block bone grafting with a patient's own bone is rarely required these days as there are many synthetic materials available to use instead.
The term for this process is better known as bone augmentation or guided bone regeneration and is generally carried out at the time of implant placement, however in cases of severe bone loss it may be necessary to restore the bone some months prior to implant placement.
At Dentalcareplus centres bone augmentation or guided bone regeneration costs from as little as £295.00 so it generally won't greatly increase the overall fee for the implant based restorative treatment unless bone loss is severe.
