Implants & Restorative
Bone Grafting & Ridge Preservation in Downey
Jawbone shrinks once a tooth is gone. A bone graft rebuilds that foundation so an implant has something solid to anchor into — and it often makes implants possible for patients who were told they had too little bone.
Se habla español · Serving Downey, Pico Rivera, South Gate, Bellflower & nearby
Why bone disappears after tooth loss
Jawbone is maintained by use. Every time you chew, the tooth root transmits force into the bone and signals it to stay dense. Remove the root and that signal stops — the ridge begins remodelling within months, and the steepest loss happens in the first year. This is also why long-time denture wearers see their facial profile change over time.
A graft interrupts that process. It provides a scaffold your own body colonises with new bone, restoring enough width and height to place a dental implant properly.
The three situations we graft
- Socket preservation. Placed at the same visit as an extraction. The graft fills the empty socket so it heals full instead of collapsing — by far the easiest and cheapest time to graft.
- Ridge augmentation. For a site that has already lost width or height, we rebuild it and allow it to mature before placing the implant.
- Sinus lift. In the upper back jaw the sinus floor sits low. We gently raise the sinus membrane and add bone beneath it to create room for implants in the molar region.
What to expect, and how long it takes
We start with a 3-D scan so we can measure exactly how much bone you have and where. The procedure itself is done under local anaesthetic — and if you are anxious, ask about sedation. Most patients describe the recovery as milder than the extraction that preceded it: some swelling for a few days, managed with over-the-counter pain relief and a soft diet.
The waiting is the longest part. Grafted sites generally need three to six months to mature before an implant can be placed, though socket preservation done at extraction time often shortens the overall timeline rather than extending it. We will give you a realistic schedule at your consultation.
Request an appointment with Dr. Sameer Aljanedi in Downey — book online or call our team. We welcome new patients, accept most PPO & HMO plans plus Denti-Cal and Medi-Cal, and se habla español.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is bone grafting painful?
The procedure is done with local anaesthetic so you feel pressure, not pain, and sedation is available if you are nervous. Most patients find recovery milder than the extraction itself — mild swelling for a few days and over-the-counter pain relief.
How long before I can get the implant?
Usually three to six months for the graft to mature into solid bone, depending on how much was needed. When we graft the socket at the same time as an extraction, it often shortens your total treatment time instead of adding to it.
Where does the graft material come from?
Most commonly from a processed, thoroughly screened donor or synthetic source that acts as a scaffold your own bone grows into. Using your own bone is possible in some cases. We will explain exactly what we plan to use and why.
Can I skip the graft and just get an implant?
Only if you already have enough healthy bone — a 3-D scan tells us definitively. Placing an implant into insufficient bone risks failure, so grafting is what makes a long-lasting result possible.
Is bone grafting covered by insurance?
Coverage varies quite a bit by plan. We verify your benefits in advance, give you a written estimate before anything begins, and accept most PPO and HMO plans plus Denti-Cal and Medi-Cal, with financing available.