Bone Grafting in South Lake Tahoe

Restore the Foundation of Your Smile

If you’ve lost bone in your jaw due to missing teeth, gum disease, or trauma, bone grafting may be the first step toward restoring your smile. At The Smile Shop in South Lake Tahoe, we offer bone grafting procedures to rebuild jaw structure and prepare for future dental treatments — including dental implants.

Bone loss is common after tooth loss, but it doesn’t have to prevent you from restoring your smile. Our team uses modern materials and gentle techniques to make the process comfortable and predictable.

What Is Bone Grafting?

Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that adds or regenerates bone in areas where it’s been lost. The goal is to create a strong, stable foundation for:

• Dental implants
  
• Facial structure support
  
• Prevention of further bone loss
  
• Improved denture fit and facial aesthetics
  

We use biocompatible materials — including synthetic or donor bone — to stimulate natural bone growth and restore density.

Why Would I Need a Bone Graft?

Bone grafting is often recommended when:

• You’ve lost a tooth and the bone underneath has started to shrink
  
• You’ve been missing teeth for several months or years
  
• You want dental implants but lack sufficient bone
  
• You’re experiencing jawbone deterioration due to gum disease
  
• You’ve had facial trauma that affected your bone structure
  

We often discover the need for bone grafting during a dental implant consultation. Using digital imaging, we can assess your bone height, width, and density to determine your candidacy.

Types of Bone Grafting We Offer

Socket Preservation

Placed immediately after a tooth extraction to preserve the bone and prevent future shrinkage — often used when planning for dental implants.

Ridge Augmentation

Restores the natural contour of your jaw by adding volume where bone has been lost, especially useful for larger defects or long-term tooth loss.

Sinus Lift (Sinus Augmentation)

If upper molars are missing and the sinuses have dropped, a sinus lift adds bone height to allow for implant placement in the upper jaw.

Our dentists will explain which type of graft is right for your situation, and how it fits into your broader restorative plan.

What to Expect During Bone Grafting

• We’ll begin with digital X-rays or 3D scans to evaluate your bone structure
  
• The area will be numbed completely for comfort
  
• Grafting material is placed, secured, and allowed to heal
  
• Healing time ranges from a few weeks to several months, depending on the case
  
• After healing, we’ll revisit your implant or restoration options
  

Bone grafting may sound intimidating, but our team ensures a smooth, comfortable experience from start to finish.

Insurance, Medi-Cal & Financing Options

Bone grafting is often considered medically necessary for implant placement and may be partially covered by insurance. Coverage under Medi-Cal is limited and depends on specific criteria — we’ll review your plan and provide detailed estimates.

We also offer in-house financing and membership discounts to make care accessible.