What Is a Dental Bone Graft and When Is It Needed?
A dental bone graft places bone material at a site in the jaw where bone has been lost or is insufficient. Over time (typically 3–6 months), the graft integrates with the patient's own bone, building up volume and density.
Grafts use one of several materials: an autograft (the patient's own bone, the gold standard, harvested from another site), an allograft (processed donated human bone, the most commonly used, which avoids a second surgical site), a xenograft (processed animal bone, typically bovine — safe, well-studied, and widely used), or an alloplast (a synthetic bone substitute). Most bone grafts at Boca use allograft or xenograft material — biocompatible, effective, and eliminating the need for a donor harvest site.
Is Bone Grafting right for you? Signs, symptoms & candidacy.
Recognizing the signs early makes treatment simpler. Here’s what we look for — and the surest way to know is a quick exam with a Boca dentist.
When a Bone Graft Is Needed
- You want dental implants but lack adequate bone volume or density
- You're having a tooth extracted and want to preserve the socket for a future implant
- Bone has already resorbed along a section of the jaw after earlier tooth loss
- You need upper-back (posterior) implants where the sinus limits bone height
- You've had missing teeth for years and want to know whether implants are still possible
How Bone Grafting Works at Boca in Reno
Consultation & 3D Imaging
A CBCT scan or X-rays assess bone volume and identify the deficiency, and the graft type and material are selected.
Graft Placement
Graft material is placed at the deficient site. A resorbable membrane may be placed over the graft to contain it and protect healing (guided bone regeneration — GBR).
Healing (3–6 months)
The graft integrates with native bone, and you are monitored at follow-up visits.
Re-Imaging
Imaging confirms adequate bone volume for implant placement.
Implant Placement
Implant surgery proceeds once bone volume is sufficient.
Most bone grafts require 3–6 months of healing before implant placement can proceed.
Benefits of Bone Grafting
Makes Implants Possible
Builds the bone needed for patients who otherwise lack enough to support an implant.
Prevents Bone Loss
Socket preservation stops the additional bone loss that follows an extraction.
Maintains Facial Structure
Preserves jawbone volume that supports your facial structure.
Long-Term Implant Success
Creates the foundation for durable, long-term implant success.
Why Reno Patients Choose Boca Dental & Braces for Bone Grafting
What sets us apart
- Socket preservation offered routinely at the time of extraction — proactive planning for future implants
- Allograft and xenograft materials from trusted, FDA-regulated suppliers
- Financing through CareCredit, Sunbit, and Alphaeon for grafting and implant treatment plans
- Free implant and bone graft consultation
Bone Grafting in Reno — Your Questions, Answered
Everything Reno and Sparks patients ask us most about bone grafting — tap any question to read the answer.
How Much Does Dental Bone Grafting Cost in Reno, NV?
At Boca, cost should never stand between you and the care you need. We accept Nevada Medicaid and many major dental plans, verify your benefits at no charge, and offer flexible financing — so you can move forward with confidence.
Find Bone Grafting Near You — 3 Boca Dental & Braces Locations Across Reno
Boca Specialty Dental & Braces performs dental bone grafting at its Reno-area locations, preparing patients across Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County for successful implant placement. Free consultations with in-house bone graft and implant planning.
Book Your Bone Grafting Appointment
Choose your nearest Boca location and we'll confirm within one business hour. Same-day and next-day appointments available.