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Bone Grafting

Dental Implants
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Oral Surgery

Bone Grafting

Strengthen Your Jaw and Restore Your Candidacy for Dental Implants

If you suffer from bone and tooth loss, you may not initially qualify for dental implants. Dr. Sean Healy and Dr. Diego Hurtado combine compassion and expertise to perform successful bone grafts in Santa Fe, NM. This advanced procedure strengthens the jaw and rebuilds bone tissue to support dental implants and improve oral health.
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Signs You May Need a Bone Graft

Bone grafting can be beneficial for patients who have:

  • Missing Teeth
  • Loose Teeth
  • Periodontal Disease
  • Facial Trauma
  • Bone Atrophy

If any of these apply to you, a bone graft may help restore anatomy and structure to your jawbone.

Types of Bone Grafts

There are several bone grafting techniques that may be recommended depending on your individual needs:

Block Bone Graft
A block bone or autogenous graft is ideal for patients who have lost a significant amount of bone density.

Sinus Lift
If upper molars are missing, the sinus cavity may shift downward. Sinus lift surgery gently repositions the membrane and places grafting material underneath to restore bone height and create room for implants.

Socket Graft
Also called ridge preservation, this procedure places graft material into the empty socket immediately after a tooth extraction to prevent bone loss and preserve the area for future implant placement.

Benefits of Bone Grafting

At our office serving Santa Fe, Taos, and Los Alamos, NM, bone grafting offers several key advantages:

Prepare You for Implants
Bone grafting creates a solid foundation for implants, even for patients with significant bone loss.

Improve Your Oral Health
A bone graft preserves existing bone tissue, preventing jawbone atrophy after tooth loss.

Long-Term Solution
Combined with proper care and good oral hygiene, bone grafting provides lasting support for dental implants and protects against future bone loss.

Explore Your Candidacy

Bone grafting can help many patients qualify for dental implants. You may be a good candidate if you:

  • Are in Good Health: Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that requires stable overall health.
  • Do Not Use Tobacco Products: Smoking can slow healing and increase the risk of complications.
  • Have Substantial Bone Loss: Dental implants may not be possible without adequate bone support, which grafting can restore.

Timeline of a Bone Graft Procedure

The bone grafting process typically takes about three to six months before a patient is ready for dental implants. At our Santa Fe, NM office, here’s what to expect during treatment:

  1. Anesthesia: The area is numbed, and sedation can be provided for comfort.
  2. Incision: The surgeon carefully opens the gum tissue to access the treatment area.
  3. Grafts: Bone material is applied to rebuild the atrophied jawbone.
  4. Sutures: The gums are sutured to protect the new graft.
  5. Recovery: The grafted tissue integrates with your natural bone, strengthening your jaw for implant placement.

Our doctors offer sedation dentistry to ensure your complete comfort from start to finish.

Bone Grafting Is Virtually Painless

Some patients may worry that bone grafting is painful. However, with the use of local anesthesia and sedation, the experience is typically comfortable and stress-free.
Our team at the Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center of Santa Fe helps every patient relax and feel confident about their treatment.

Recovering from Your Treatment

Recovery from bone grafting generally takes three to six months. Mild swelling or soreness is normal and subsides within a few days. To promote healing:

  • Take Medication: Manage any discomfort with prescribed or over-the-counter medication.
  • Eat Soft Foods: Stick to soft foods to avoid irritating the surgical site.
  • Apply Ice Packs: Use ice to minimize swelling for the first 24 to 48 hours.

Concerned About the Cost of Bone Grafting?

We understand that cost is an important factor when considering oral surgery. Our team works to make bone grafting affordable for every patient.

Insurance
We accept most major insurance plans, which may help reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses.

Financing
Flexible payment options, including CareCredit®, make it easier to manage treatment costs with convenient monthly payments.

Rebuild Your Smile

If you are missing teeth and have low bone density in your jaw, our team can help restore your candidacy for dental implants through a comfortable bone grafting procedure.

Dr. Healy and Dr. Hurtado are highly trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons with advanced experience in bone reconstruction. During your consultation, they will review your medical history, evaluate your jaw health, and recommend the best treatment plan.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward restoring your smile and oral health.

See why our patients love us

My son had his wisdom teeth removed by Dr Hurtado. He had absolutely no swelling or pain whatsoever after the procedure. He even stopped taking pain medicine after the first day, as he stated he did not have any pain and didn't need it. I am truly impressed with this staff and procedure done at this office. I highly recommend them to any parents who are looking for an easy wisdom tooth extraction for their kiddos. Thank you to the Doc and his lovely staff!
Amanda H.
Amanda H.
Dr Diego Hurtado and his office and staff are just wonderful. Dr Hurtado answered all my many questions respectfully and with much patience and kindness. The extraction went well and the healing process also. He saw me for a follow up. He even noted that I should check out an unrelated tooth with my local dentist which turned out to have a cavity. He is a highly observant oral surgeon that goes the extra mile. I highly recommend him.
Donna H.
Donna H.
Dr. Healy and his team provided excellent care for me when I had my wisdom teeth extracted. The preoperative instructions were clear and the surgery day was very organized and went according to plan. I woke up from the procedure without any pain and I only needed one dose of the medication prescribed for the recovery period. Dr. Healy’s office followed up to see how I was doing and I really felt cared for. I recommend Dr. Healy to my friends and family and I would happily return to the practice!
Jennifer E.
Jennifer E.
Dr. Healy has performed surgical wisdom teeth removal on both my teenagers and they both had a positive experience. I noticed that even within one years time he changed his practice so when it came to my daughter we followed her regime as given and her recovery went even better than my son's. Dr. Healy has a great patient manner and develops trust with his patients. He takes his time and explains things very well. Thank you Dr. Healy for doing such a great job with both my children. The dental assistants are wonderful!
Montessa V.
Montessa V.
The entire staff all have hearts of gold. Dr. Healey and his assistant Charlie were amazing with my wisdom teeth extraction. Not only did Dr. Healey have an excellent and professional yet warm and caring manner to him, he truly knows his stuff. I had zero fears about my surgery and I am glad my experience was with him. Highly recommended!
Tonya N.
Tonya N.