Elizabeth Dental Bone Grafting
Rebuild the bone before you rebuild the tooth
Why the jaw shrinks after a tooth is lost
Bone in your jaw stays strong because a tooth root presses into it every time you chew. Take the tooth away, and that signal stops. Within the first year after an extraction, the ridge can lose a meaningful share of its width, and it keeps thinning slowly after that.
That loss matters most when you want to replace the tooth. An implant needs enough bone around it to hold steady, and a denture needs a ridge with enough shape to sit against. Elizabeth dental bone grafting rebuilds that foundation so the replacement has something solid to work with. We also see patients who lost bone to gum disease or to an infection under an old tooth.
Types of bone grafting we offer
We handle grafting here in our Elizabeth office rather than sending you across town. Which one you need depends on what your 3D scan shows.
- ZSocket preservation: We place graft material into the socket right after an extraction, before the bone has a chance to collapse. This is the simplest way to protect a future implant site.
- ZGuided bone regeneration: We rebuild width or height in a ridge that has already thinned, using a membrane to keep the graft protected while new bone forms.
- ZSinus lift: When upper back teeth are missing, the sinus floor often sits too low for an implant. We raise it and add bone underneath to create the height an implant needs.
- ZGuided tissue regeneration: We use this when gum disease has worn away bone around a tooth we are trying to save, encouraging bone and attachment to grow back.
What to expect during your procedure
- ZConsultation: We take a 3D cone beam scan so we can see the bone you actually have rather than an estimate.
- ZTreatment plan: We walk you through what is missing, which graft we recommend, and how it fits with an implant or denture later on.
- ZComfort options: Nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia are all available. Most grafts are done with local anesthetic and nitrous.
- ZPlacement: We open the site, place the graft material, cover it with a membrane where needed, and close it with sutures. A socket preservation graft usually takes well under an hour.
- ZAftercare: You go home with written instructions, and we schedule a follow-up to check that the site is closing cleanly.
How grafting connects to your implant
Bone grafting is the step that makes a dental implant possible. Once the graft has matured, we place the implant using guided surgery, which means the position is planned on your scan first and the placement follows that plan. Grafting is what gives that plan enough bone to work with.
Sometimes we can graft and place the implant in the same visit. That works when the bone loss is minor and the implant will be stable on its own. When the gap is larger, healing first gives you a much better long-term result, and we would rather tell you that up front than rush it.
Answers to your Elizabeth bone grafting questions
Does a bone graft hurt?
No, not during the procedure. The area is fully numb, and we offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia if you would rather be more relaxed. Afterward, expect soreness similar to an extraction for a few days.
How long before I can get my implant?
Most patients wait three to six months between the graft and the implant. Smaller socket preservation grafts are often ready sooner, and we take a follow-up scan to confirm before moving ahead.
Do I really need a graft, or can I skip it?
It depends on how much bone you have left, which your scan will show clearly. Skipping a graft you need is what leads to implants that fail or cannot be placed at all, and the bone keeps thinning in the meantime.
Where does the graft material come from?
We use synthetic material, donor bone from a tissue bank, or bovine-derived material, depending on the site. All of it is processed and sterilized, and your body gradually replaces it with your own bone.
Will my insurance cover Elizabeth bone grafting?
Many plans cover part of it, especially when the graft is done at the same time as an extraction. Our team checks your benefits and gives you real numbers before you commit to treatment.
Does smoking affect whether the graft works?
Yes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the site, which slows healing and raises the chance the graft fails. If you smoke, pausing before and after the procedure makes a real difference.
Surgical care from a team close to home
At Timberline Family Dentistry, Dr. Aaron Goodman handles the surgical side of the practice, including implant placement and grafting. He works alongside Dr. Matthew Young and Dr. Aaron English, and every case is planned on a 3D scan before treatment begins.
We’re a family practice in Elizabeth, which means the dentist who places your graft is the same one you’ll see for a cleaning next year. That continuity is a good part of why these cases go smoothly here.
Simple insurance and payment options
We believe exceptional dentistry should be accessible to everyone. Our practice accepts most major insurance plans, provides interest-free financing, and offers clear, upfront pricing with no hidden costs.
Need help understanding your benefits? Our team is happy to help!
Testimonials
Today I visited Timberline Family Dentistry and I was very pleased. Everyone I spoke to was very friendly and kind. The doctor didn’t try to tell me I needed a ton of unnecessary work like others I’ve been to. I would definitely recommend Timberline Family Dentistry.
– Heather G.
Let’s rebuild your foundation
Elizabeth bone grafting starts with a clear look at the bone you have. Book your free consultation and 3D scan today, and we will show you exactly what you are working with before you decide anything.
Visit Timberline Family Dentistry
Our Elizabeth dentist’s office serves families throughout the community with state-of-the-art dental care and a patient-first approach.
Hours
Every Other Monday:
9:00AM-5:00PM
Tuesday-Thursday:
9:00AM-5:00PM
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Call us now at (303) 646-3940 or book online to schedule your visit — we can’t wait to welcome you!