How much does dental bone grafting cost?
The cost of dental bone grafts varies widely, depending on the condition of the individual jawbone and the specific needs of the patient. A simple graft that uses synthetic bone usually ranges from $300 to $800 for each implant area. If the graft is to be performed using the patient’s own bone, the patient must be hospitalized to extract the bone, and an orthopedic surgeon and anesthesiologist must be hired, thereby increasing cost. The estimated range in cost for this type of procedure is $2,500 to $3,500. Patients are likely to incur additional costs in the form of x-rays, CT scans, or other types of screening procedures, which can increase the cost by anywhere from $250 to $1,000.
When a patient doesn’t have a sufficient amount of bone mass in the jawbone to support a dental implant, a dental bone graft procedure may be recommended. Thanks to near-constant innovations in dental technology, dental bone grafts are a simple and effective way to dramatically increase the success rates of dental implants.
The source of bone used for dental bone graft usually comes from one of four sources. Bone that is derived from the patient’s own body is considered highly effective and safe, as there is very rarely any chance of tissue rejection. Bone may be extracted from the patient’s hip, chin, knee, or elsewhere in the jaw. Once it is extracted, the bone is shaped to match the grafting needs and is then grafted into place in the jaw. Because this choice requires two individual surgical procedures, it is one of the more expensive dental bone graft options. Another source for bone is human cadaver bone, which is available at certified medical tissue banks. This bone is often used in surgical procedures and is usually freeze-dried, and always sterilized, to maintain its integrity while it is stored. This is a safe option that is more affordable than using the patient’s own bone. The most widely used type of bone in dental bone graft procedures is animal bone, usually derived from cows. Cow bone integrates very well with human bone and rarely causes complications, and it is processed and stored similarly to human cadaver bone. It is always thoroughly cleaned and sterilized before being used for medical procedures. Finally, synthetic bone graft material may be recommended in some cases. Your dental care provider can discuss material options with you before your implant procedure to help determine what material will work best for your clinical needs and for your budget.
While few dental insurance policies will cover the cost of dental implants, they may supplement or cover medically necessary bone grafts. In cases where dental implants are necessitated by a medical condition or accident, implants and grafts may be covered by a general medical insurance policy. Grafts and implants may also be covered by insurance policies if a patient’s ability to eat has been dramatically affected by bone loss. Be sure to discuss your procedure with your insurance provider, and talk to your dentist if you require a financing plan to make a bone graft and implant procedure manageable for you.