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Mid-Wilshire Dental Care
Dental bone grafting to rebuild jaw volume

Dental Bone Grafting in Los Angeles, CA

Rebuild jawbone volume for future dental implants with in-office bone grafting in Mid-Wilshire. Socket preservation, ridge augmentation, sinus lifts.

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Dental Bone Grafting for Implants in Los Angeles

Medically reviewed by Dr. Bijan Afar, DDS, MS — Periodontist & Oral Implantologist

When you lose a tooth, the jawbone underneath it starts to shrink almost immediately. Within a year most patients have lost 40–60% of the bone width at the extraction site. If you wait a few years to replace the tooth with an implant, there's often not enough bone left to place one — and that's where bone grafting comes in.

A bone graft is a small procedure that rebuilds the missing volume. We place a bone-forming material — either your own bone, processed donor bone, or a synthetic — into the deficient site, cover it with a membrane, and let the body integrate it over 3–6 months. When we come back to place the implant, there's proper bone to anchor it.

The most common types we do here are socket preservation (grafting the socket right after an extraction, so it doesn't shrink), ridge augmentation (rebuilding an already-shrunken area before an implant), and sinus lifts (elevating the sinus floor to make room for upper-back implants). Each has a different timeline and different cost. During your consult we take a 3D CBCT scan to measure exactly what's needed and give you a written plan.

Bone grafting is Dr. Afar's daily work as a periodontist. Doing it well is the difference between an implant that lasts twenty years and one that fails at five. Anyone can 'place an implant' — the specialist skill is preparing the site so it stays healthy.

What's Included

  • Socket preservation immediately after extraction
  • Ridge augmentation for existing deficient sites
  • Sinus lifts (internal and external) for upper-jaw implants
  • Autogenous, allograft, xenograft, and synthetic materials
  • 3D CBCT planning for every case
  • Same-day extractions with graft placed in the same visit when possible

What to Expect

  1. 1

    Consultation

    We'll discuss your concerns, review your medical history, take digital images, and explain every option in plain language, no pressure, no surprises.

  2. 2

    Personalized plan

    Dr. Bijan creates a tailored treatment plan with clear pricing and timing. You decide what's right for you.

  3. 3

    Gentle treatment

    Our team delivers your treatment with care, using sedation when helpful and explaining each step along the way.

  4. 4

    Ongoing care

    We follow up to make sure you're healing well and provide guidance to keep your smile healthy for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need a bone graft?
It depends on how much bone you have. Below a certain threshold — usually 5 mm of bone width or 8–10 mm of vertical height — an implant simply can't be anchored safely. The 3D CBCT scan tells us with sub-millimeter accuracy whether you need grafting, and if so how much. Some patients have enough bone for a smaller-diameter implant without grafting; some need it and don't want to hear it. We're honest either way.
How much does bone grafting cost?
A simple socket-preservation graft at the time of extraction is typically $400–$800 in Los Angeles. A ridge-augmentation graft to rebuild volume in an existing site runs $800–$2,000 per site. A sinus lift is $1,500–$3,500. Some medical insurance plans cover part of the cost when it's tied to a specific treatment plan; we verify before treatment and give a written estimate.
Is bone grafting painful?
Less than most people expect. The graft itself is done under local anaesthetic and optional sedation. Post-op discomfort is usually manageable with over-the-counter ibuprofen for 2–3 days. Swelling and bruising are common for the first week. Sinus lifts have a slightly longer recovery because of the sinus involvement, but most patients are back to normal activities within a week.
How long before I can get an implant after a graft?
3–6 months for socket preservation and ridge augmentation. Sinus lifts often need 6–9 months to fully mature before implant placement. During the healing period the graft is stable and you can chew normally on the other side — nothing to wear or maintain.
Where does the bone material come from?
It depends on the case. Autogenous bone (yours) has the best biology but requires a second surgical site — usually the chin or jaw. Allograft (processed donor bone from a tissue bank) is more common because it works well without a second surgical site. Xenograft (bovine) and synthetic materials are also used. We discuss options at the consult and pick what fits the case and your preferences.

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule a consultation for bone grafting today. We'll answer your questions and help you decide what's right for your smile, no pressure.

Request an AppointmentCall (310) 731-6119

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