If your dentist has mentioned you need bone grafting dental Salisbury NC patients often require before qualifying for dental implants, you're not alone, and you won't need a referral to another office to get started here. Bone grafting is one of the specialty and advanced care services we provide at Clark Dental, alongside implants and oral surgery, all handled by Dr. Chris Clark and his team under one roof. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Delta Dental, plus CareCredit and Cherry financing, so you know your options before committing to treatment.
When a tooth has been missing for a while, or was removed due to infection or injury, the jawbone underneath it can start to shrink. Bone grafting rebuilds that lost volume, giving your jaw the foundation it needs to hold a dental implant securely. We use 3D cone beam CT imaging to see the exact shape and density of your jawbone before recommending a graft, so your plan is based on your actual anatomy, not guesswork.
A dental implant relies on the bone around it the same way a fence post relies on solid ground. Without enough width and height, an implant can't fuse properly or hold up over the years. Grafting material, whether from your own bone, a donor source, or a synthetic option, gives new bone cells a scaffold to grow around, gradually rebuilding the ridge so it can support an implant post.
Most patients considering a bone graft for implant treatment have experienced bone loss from a missing tooth, gum disease, or a past extraction. You may also benefit from a graft if you're planning ahead for future tooth loss and want to preserve bone before it shrinks further. Dr. Clark reviews your CT scan and health history at your consultation to confirm whether grafting is the right next step for you.
There are a few different types of bone grafting dental Salisbury NC patients may need, depending on where and why bone loss has occurred.
When a tooth is extracted, the empty socket can start losing bone within weeks. Socket preservation grafting fills that space right after extraction, holding the ridge's shape and volume so you have more options for an implant down the road.
For patients needing implants in the upper back jaw, a sinus lift adds bone beneath the sinus floor to create enough height for an implant. Ridge augmentation addresses width and shape loss along the jaw more broadly. We cover both procedures in more detail on our ridge augmentation page.
Your visit starts with a conversation about your goals and a 3D CT scan, giving Dr. Clark a full picture of your jawbone's width, height, and density. There's no need for a separate referral to have this imaging done. It happens right here, and Dr. Clark uses it to map out your grafting and, eventually, your dental implant plan together.
Bone grafting is performed with local anesthetic, and most patients describe the discomfort afterward as mild, similar to a tooth extraction. Healing time varies depending on the size of the graft, but most patients need a few months for the new bone to integrate before implant placement can move forward. We'll walk through a timeline specific to your case at your consultation.
Once your bone has healed and integrated, we move forward with implant placement using the same imaging and planning we started with. If your treatment involves an extraction first, our oral surgery and extractions services are also handled in-house, so you're not bounced between offices.
Most patients feel some soreness for a few days after the procedure, similar to what you'd expect after a tooth extraction. We use local anesthetic during the procedure and can discuss options to keep you comfortable throughout healing.
Healing time typically ranges from three to six months, depending on the size of the graft and your body's healing pace. Dr. Clark will check your progress with imaging before moving forward with implant placement.
Coverage depends on your specific plan and the reason for the graft. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Delta Dental, and our team can help you understand your benefits before treatment begins. Visit our insurance and financing page for more details.
In some cases, yes, particularly with socket preservation grafts placed right after an extraction. Other situations require the graft to heal fully before an implant can be placed safely. Dr. Clark will let you know which approach fits your case after reviewing your CT scan.
Bone grafting dental Salisbury NC patients choose at Clark Dental is about more than one procedure. It's the first step toward a stable, comfortable smile that lasts, guided by a dentist who's part of this community and invested in getting you there right.
